HC Deb 17 December 1969 vol 793 c341W
Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he proposes to make in the regulations for the issue of rum to naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks.

Dr. David Owen

On the advice of the Admiralty Board it has been decided to abolish the issue of rum with effect from 1st August, 1970.

The present daily issue of rum has an alcohol content the equivalent of slightly more than four measures of spirit. This issue has been reviewed in the light of the conditions of the modern Navy. The Admiralty Board concludes that the rum issue is no longer compatible with the high standards of efficiency required now that the individual's tasks in ships are concerned with complex, and often delicate, machinery and systems on the correct functioning of which people's lives may depend. The issue of rum is a particular naval privilege of very long standing. Its abolition is not an economy measure. A capital sum of £2.7 million will therefore be paid into a new Sailors' Fund to be solely for the benefit of ratings and Royal Marine other ranks who will play a major part in the administration of this fund.

Abolition of the rum issue will also be accompanied by two concessions. Chief Petty Officers, Petty Officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the Royal Marines will now be allowed to buy a small quantity of commercial spirits, a privilege previously enjoyed only by officers. Junior ratings and Royal Marines other ranks will have the amount of beer which they are allowed to buy increased.

Arrangements for the traditional free issue of spirits on "Splice the Main-brace" will be retained.