§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the right hon. Gentleman whether the age limit for establishment is forty-five years; whether establishment is a condition of eligibility for a pension; how many men in the Devonport Dockyard have passed that age since the suspension of the establishment in 1907; and whether, now that the Government have decided to reopen the establishment forthwith, he will undertake to see that those men are in no way prejudiced by the suspension?
§ Mr. McKENNAThirty-five is the ordinary limit, but an extension to forty-five is allowed in the case of hired men who have served continuously since attaining the age of thirty-five. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of men employed in Devonport Dockyard who have passed the age limit since the establishment was suspended cannot be given without a local detailed investigation. The cases of these men will be carefully considered with a view to their not being prejudiced by the suspension. It should, however, be clearly understood that in any event only such of these men can be established as are considered to be the most suitable for the available vacancies.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether he will cause a local inquiry to be made?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir.