§ MR. H. G. ALLENasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is true, as lately reported in the newspapers, that the prospects of the responsible foremen and other officers of the dockyards will be prejudicially affected by the changes recommended by the recent Committee on Professional Officers; what changes it is proposed to introduce in the position of the leading men of shipwrights, and when such changes may be expected to take effect; and, whether the salaries of leading men of fitters, joiners, and other trades will be raised, and their numbers increased, so as to make them more nearly proportioned to those of the shipwrights?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYThe reports to which the hon. Member refers are inaccurate. All the professional officers above the rank of foreman of the yard are to be incorporated in the proposed Royal corps of constructors, with equal or increased salary and a more defined position. The foremen of the yard are not prejudicially affected either in position or prospects; on the contrary, they are either to be incorporated in the new corps with all the highest appointments open to them, or, if not eligible for promotion by reason of the long-established rule as to age, foremen recommended will enter the corps on passing a qualifying instead of a competitive examination. Leading men of shipwrights will be placed on salary with improved position. The salary will be in all cases equal to the present pay, with a higher maximum in prospect. This change will be specially beneficial 1477 to the older men, and it will take effect without delay. The question of the position and pay of the leading men of other skilled trades was not referred to the Committee on Professional Officers, and was not dealt with in their Report; but we fully recognize its importance.