§ MR. BRAMSDON (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the attention of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty has been called to the disappointment which their new scheme with reference to the dockyard writers has aroused among the members of that class; whether their Lordships will receive a representative deputation from all the Royal Dockyards in order that the writers' views may be expressed; and whether, until that is done, their Lordships will give directions that the new scheme should not be put into force.
§ MR. MALLET (Plymouth)At the same time may I ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that first-class dockyard writers have had no improvement in their maximum scale of pay since 1879; whether, under the new scheme just issued by the Admiralty, these writers will be unable to get an advance of pay unless they give up their established positions and their right to a pension; and, if so, whether, before that scheme is acted on, the Lords of the Admiralty will consent to receive a deputation from the writers to show why, on this and on other points, the new scheme has caused dissatisfaction to the men.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThough the maximum pay of these writers has not been changed there have been improvements in their pay and possibilities of promotion during the period mentioned. First class established writers who receive the maximum rate of pay of 8s. a day have been given the option of entering the new (hired) grade carrying an increased maximum of 8s. 6d. a day. The acceptance of this offer will not involve the forfeiture of pension in respect to their service prior to date of transfer to new grade. No reason is seen for suspending the order issued recently that the new scheme was to come into operation on the 1st ultimo. The writers were heard at the dockyard inquiries 783 last year, and the same class have brought their complaints before the Board at the visit to Chatham this year, and will be allowed to do the same thing when the Board's visits take place to the remaining dockyards this summer.