§ MR. FERRANDsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the First Naval Lord did not receive a Deputation from the Dockyards men during his canvass at Devonport, for the purpose of hearing their complaints against the Regulation issued in October, 1861, which prohibits promotion in the Dockyards after the age of forty-five; whether he did not promise them a full inquiry into the operation of this Regulation immediately after the Election, with a view of its being rescinded if its effect was injurious to the Dockyards men; whether this promise was not in part fulfilled by orders being sent from the Admiralty to the principal officers of the Yards for a report of the working of the said Regulation; whether they had not replied, condemning the restriction as to age for promotion; and whether the Secretary to the Admiralty will place upon the table of the House the Instructions sent, and the reports of the officers thereon?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGET, in reply, said, Sir Frederick Grey, when he was canvassing at Devonport, very properly refused to receive any deputation, or promise to redress any grievances. After the election was concluded, however, Sir Frederick Grey received a deputation, consisting of certain dockyards men, who complained of the restriction of the age of persons who desired promotion. Sir Frederick Grey brought the question before the Admiralty, who caused a report to be sent from the dockyards, and in no case did the dockyard authorities express a desire to rescind the objectionable regulation. With regard to the publication of the reports, I may state that they are regarded as confidential reports, and I must therefore decline to lay them before the House.