HC Deb 20 November 1893 vol 18 cc1266-7
MR. DARLING (Deptford)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any reply has been made to the Memorial, dated November 24, 1892, presented to the Admiralty by the Admiralty writers employed in the Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford; and whether it is intended now to promote any of these Admiralty writers to the position of Second Division clerks?

THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) Dundee

The case of the Admiralty writers at Deptford and elsewhere has been many times under consideration. As a class, the Admiralty are not prepared to alter their scale of salary, which is considered to be fully adequate for the duties that they are called upon to perform. Indeed, on the present class, which is a moribund one, expiring, their places will be filled by the less expensive class of dockyard writers. But, in considering any scheme of Dockyard Civil Re-organisation, the merits of individual Admiralty writers have been considered, and promotion in more than one case has followed.

MR. DARLING

The hon. Gentleman has not answered my question, as to whether any reply has been given to the Memorial dated November, 1892? He says the clerks now in possession are moribund. Are those who desire to come in also moribund?

MR. E. ROBERTSON

was understood to promise further inquiries into the matter.