§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the House the text of the order sent to the Royal dockyards authorising the reopening of the establishment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt would be unusual to quote official Admiralty letters in extenso in reply to a question. The orders merely put into official language the policy of the Government, which has already been communicated to the House.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the hon. Gentleman give us that part of the order which has reference to those men who have passed the age for establishment while suspended?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot give that. It is the fact I may say generally that men who have reached the age of forty-five during the period of suspension will not, therefore, and on that account lose the chance of establishment. They will still be eligible, and will be taken into consideration.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEThey are still eligible for vacancies which have occurred now or occur immediately after reopening.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should think that they would be eligible for vacancies occurring immediately afterwards. That is a matter for the yard officers. I do not suppose they would be eligible for vacancies occurring at some remote future.