§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that the stokers, under new regulations, have lost 3d. per day by the abolition of the rating of mechanical stoker, and that, unless the stoker is a man advanced in education, he can never expect to reach more than 2s. 1d. per day, exclusive of badge money; and whether, in view of the laborious life of the stoker, and seeing that the wear and tear of his clothes is far in excess of that of the deck-hand, he will consider the possibility of granting 3d. per day extra to the stoker, first class, after three years' service in that capacity?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe abolition of the rating of the stoker-mechanic was part of the general scheme for the training and advancement of stoker ratings adopted in 1906, by which the system of mechanical training was standardised and the prospects of advancement for the stoker class as a whole were improved. Stoker-mechanics under the old system were allowed to retain that rating unless advanced to the new rating of leading stoker.
1565WA certain amount of education is found to be necessary for advancement to higher ratings in the stoker class as in others. The substantive pay of the stoker is higher than the seaman's, and it is not contemplated to advance the pay of the former after three years service as stokers, first-class.