§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can explain the conditions under which tropical allow- 1826W ance can be drawn by naval ratings serving in the submarine flotilla on the China station; whether he is aware of the discontent caused because this allowance is not extended to all the crew when they all breathe practically the same atmosphere; and whether, seeing that the ratings stationed on the C.O.2 plant are paid the allowance, but ratings employed six feet away from them are not paid, he can arrange for these anomalies to be removed and the allowance extended to the entire crew?
§ Mr. G. H. HALLA committee is now sitting to examine detailed reports recently received of conditions prevalent in ships serving on all tropical stations. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, tropical allowance—as distinct from climate pay, which is payable to all ratings within prescribed geographical limits—is confined to ratings working continuously or on watch in the tropics in tending machinery where heat is being generated, and no wide extension of the allowance is in contemplation.