asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Naval Service was short 150 men, including 56 petty officers on 31 December 1979; the steps taken to improve the situation; if he will make a substantial increase in naval pay which is only 61p a day as an interim measure and undertake to review the conditions of men in the Naval Service.
Written Answers. - Naval Service.
342.
Recruiting measures are being undertaken to bring the strength of the Naval Service up to the numbers provided for in the increased establishments. Normally, petty officers in the Naval Service are promoted from the rank of leading seaman. Leading seamen are promoted as petty officers when they are considered by the Naval authorities to be qualified for these posts.
The conditions of service of all personnel of the Defence Forces are kept under regular review by my Department and it is not proposed to undertake any special review of the conditions of service of Naval personnel at this time.