§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that recently a number of blacksmiths at Devonport Dockyard were offered the option of resigning or accepting the post of hammermen, at a reduced rate of pay, in consequence of a falling off in the demand for blacksmiths, he will arrange that, in the event of their transfer or discharge, they shall have their full title of blacksmith, as they were originally engaged, and not of hammermen, in which capacity they are now employed.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, WoodbridgeThe hon. Member appears to have been misinformed with regard to this matter, as no incident of the kind has occurred recently at Devonport Dockyard. Cases, however, do sometimes occur in which, on a reduction of hands, smiths are offered the option of resigning or accepting employment as hammermen, and in all such cases it is the rule for the men on discharge to be given their full title of smith.
§ MR. CROOKSI am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. My information was to the contrary. I will let him see the letter.