We calculate the efficiency of transfer of photon statistics from an intensity squeezed pump field to the Stokes field in a cw Raman laser. The Raman gain medium is modelled as a three level atomic system in a ii-configuration. We discuss the optimum detuning from the excited atomic level to give the maximum signal to noise ratio in the output Stokes field. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.