§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the disability under which officers and men of the Royal Navy serving on the North America and West Indies 1372W station labour, on account of the depreciated value of the £ sterling as compared with Canadian and United States currency, which more or less govern the prices of commodities on that station; and if he will consider the introduction of an allowance to meet the varying rate of exchange?
§ Mr. AMMONAn arrangement was formerly in existence when the value of the dollar as expressed in sterling was considerably higher than at present, by which a portion of the pay received in Canadian or U.S.A. currency was issued at the par rate. This concession was withdrawn in 1921 in view of the marked decrease in the cost of living in North America, and the rise of the £ sterling. The hon. Member no doubt realises that the officers and men concerned are only paid in Canadian or United States currency for a portion of the year, when the fleet is on that part of the station in which such currency is the normal medium of exchange.