§ MR. J. WILLIAMS BENN (Devonport)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether in view of the statement in the Report of the Douglas Committee as to the disappearance of the boatswain and carpenter, any steps will be taken under the new system to train and utilise existing servants in these branches in some kindred employment.
(Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The statement referred to was a suggestion on the part of the Sub-Committee that the duties of the present artisan branches might be rearranged in the future so as to admit of the carrying out of those duties by the artificer branch. Assuming that this suggestion was approved by the Admiralty, the change would take place gradually, and would not involve the discharge of men from the service. If any action be taken, the question of utilising artisans in a new capacity, for which they might be qualified, would be carefully considered. Of course, in making any radical change, existing rights would receive due consideration.