HC Deb 18 August 1881 vol 265 cc223-4
MR. PULESTON

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he will inquire into the inequalities which exist among various classes in Her Majesty's Dockyards with a view to removing the discontent arising there from; whether he will also consider the advisability, in the interest of the Service, of enlarging the scope of the "Establishment," to enable a greater proportion of those employed in the various Departments to share in its benefits; and, whether he will endeavour to have adopted some course by which the dismissal of officials without giving any reason, or any compensation, may be remedied?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I shall be quite prepared to inquire into the proportion of men on and off the Establishment, in the various trades in Her Majesty's Dockyards, in order to ascertain whether the circumstances under which, the proportions between the trades were arranged have in any case altered-As to the total number of workmen on the Establishment as compared with the total number of men employed, the Admiralty are not disposed to increase it. An addition to the Establishment would hamper shipbuilding arrangements, and add considerably to the already very large Non-Effective Vote. With regard to the third part of the Question, if the hon. Member refers to the case of two retired naval officers, who were removed from their offices of storekeeper and cashier, and assistant storekeeper and cashier, at Plymouth Hospital, those officers were removed on the Report of the Medical Director General, who was convinced, and who convinced the Admiralty, that the Public Service absolutely required it. Their appointments were only held during pleasure, and conferred no right to pension or gratuity on retirement.

MR. PULESTON

asked if it was the fact that, in connection with the last part of the Question, the two officers were sent first for 12 months' trial before appointment; and that, after having been in their appointments for that time, they were led to believe that they were to continue permanently in the posts?

MR. TREVELYAN

said, he had seen the Reports, and the reason why the men were dismissed, and he had to state that it would be quite impossible to continue them in their appointment. The whole question of appointing retired assistant paymasters to these posts demanded very careful inquiry.