§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that George Howell was recently summarily discharged from Portsmouth Dockyard, alter 13 years' service, with good character; whether workmen discharged on reduction are entitled to a gratuity; whether a gratuity has been refused to George Howell; and, whether he will state the reason for such refusal?
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONIt is not the case that George Howell has been summarily dismissed from Portsmouth Dockyard. He asked for his discharge from the yard, preferring to leave rather than comply with certain established 540 rules in force in his workshop. The officer of the yard had no wish to discharge him.