§ MR BOWERMAN (Deptford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that all hired workmen emloyed at the Deptford victualling yard and other naval establishments are discharged upon reaching the age of sixty years, although previous to three years ago the age for compulsory discharge was sixty-five years; whether he is also aware that recently the Board of Customs has reverted to the sixty-five year age limit; and whether, looking at the difficulty experienced by such men in obtaining other employment upon leaving the service, and to the fact that they will not become entitled to claim an old-age pension until they reach the age of seventy, he will consider the desirability of reverting to the sixty-five-year limit.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe present regulations permit of men being retained until sixty-five years of age when their services are required, and they are fit to perform the duties. It is not proposed to modify this practice.