§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why victualling allowance for both officers and men is fixed at 1s. 5½d. per day, whilst allowances in lieu of provisions are fixed at 3s. 6d. per day for officers and 2s. 8d. per day for petty officers and men; and whether he is aware that under the present cost-of-living scale petty officers and men cannot obtain board at this rate?
Mr. DAVIDSONVictualling allowance is the value at service prices of the standard ration plus messing allowance to which both officers and men are entitled, and is payable when ''service" is available. Provision allowance is payable when "service" is not available and is calculated on the same basis as victualling allowance, but at shore retail prices, with an addition for "service." which, as under service conditions, is different for officers and men. It is not considered necessary to modify the basis on which these allowances are assessed, and their revision every six months ensures that the rates of provisions allowances reflect alterations in current retail prices, and variations in the cost of living index figure.