§ Mr. C. DUNCANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the practice in other State Departments, he will grant facilities for representatives of organisations of Admiralty employés to have direct access to the Board of Admiralty at other than the occasions of official visits to the naval establishments?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Admiralty practice, whereby the Lords Commissioners in person visit the yards for the purpose of hearing petitions from the men's representatives, is of long standing, and 566 appears to us preferable to methods adopted by other Departments, whose organisation does not admit of their following our example. The Admiralty system gives the fullest opportunity to individuals and classes of men to have direct access to the Board without the officers of the yard being present.