HC Deb 04 April 1889 vol 334 cc1587-8
MR. CONYBEARE

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the fact that certificates are given in the following form to the workmen who have been recently discharged from the Devonport Dockyard—

"H. M. Dockyard, Devonport.

"This is to certify that—has been employed—years and—months in this dockyard as a hired (joiner, or as the case may be), and during that period his character and conduct have been very good, and he is a very good workman. He has been discharged in consequence of reduction of hands.

(Signed) J. M. Huddy,

Chief Constructor.

Approved,

Admiral Superintendent." whether he can state how many of the total number of men recently discharged had been employed for a longer period than one year, either consecutively or at different times; what steps are taken to ascertain which of the men should first be discharged, whether on account of efficiency or duration of service; and whether, in effecting such discharges, any consideration is paid to character and good conduct?

LORD G. HAMILTON

No workmen recently discharged received certificates of the kind referred to in the question. Of the total number of men discharged 169 had been employed for more than one year, but only seven had been employed continuously for a longer period than one year. Efficiency and duration of service are both considered by the yard officers in selecting men for discharge. Consideration is paid to the character and good conduct of workmen-The Secretary to the Admiralty, in replying to the same question on Tuesday, stated that 11 men had been employed for a longer period than one year, but this number included men who had received notices of discharge which were subsequently withdrawn.

MR. CONYBEARE

I beg to give notice that I shall refer to this matter at the earliest opportunity on the Estimates.