§ MR. KEARLEYI beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, when the, employés at Bull Point, Devon-port, were transferred from the Army Ordnance Department to the Naval Ordnance Department, they were guaranteed the continuance of certain privileges in respect to leave, sick pay, and medical attendance; whether he is aware that recently when some of the men were offered a small increase in their weekly wages, such offer was made conditional on these privileges being surrendered; whether several refused the proffered advance rather than submit to such conditions; and whether this attempt to break the agreement was made at the instigation of the Admiralty, or on the responsibility of the local officials?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThe arrangement made was that the men should retain all the privileges to which they were entitled under the War Office, so long, and so long only, as they remained in the same position as at the time of transfer; but that as soon as they received promotion or increased pay, they should come under the ordinary regulations. No information has reached me to the effect stated in the second and third paragraphs. I may add that the operation of this arrangement is one of the many questions into which the Admiralty has recently been inquiring, and will receive careful consideration.
§ MR. KEARLEYDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that at the time the agreement was signed the men were told that they would forfeit these advantages in the case of promotion?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONYes, the agreement set forth that so long as they remained under the War Office there should be no change, but when they were promoted then they should come within ordinary Rules of the Admiralty.
§ MR. KEARLEYIs this change the outcome of inquiries which the Admiralty have been milking?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONNo, Sir. The original bargain was that the men should retain all their old privileges until they changed their position, but when they did change they should come under the ordinary Admiralty Regulations. I 1255 added that the operation of this arrangement was now being considered by the Admiralty.