§ Mr. FALLEasked if junior men working under the electric engineer, Portsmouth Dockyard, have been placed on the establishment, whilst senior men with good records have been passed over; and if he will explain the system of placing men on the establishment?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. In the selection of men to fill vacancies on the establishment, regard is paid to the abilities and character of the men as well as to their seniority.
§ Mr. FALLEasked if men on the established list in receipt of pensions, and who live outside their dockyard town, are obliged to go to that dockyard town to draw their pensions; and, if so, whether some change will be made so that these pensioners may be allowed to draw their pensions at the post office of the town in which they live?
§ Mr. McKENNAI understand that it is not the case that dockyard pensioners in 353 the position stated are compelled to draw their pensions at the dockyard, it being open to them to obtain payment, as many do, either by means of negotiable receipts which may be passed through a bank, or from the local collector of Revenue and Customs. I am further informed that in very exceptional cases where pensioners live at long distances from the dockyard or Revenue Office, and are prevented by age or infirmity from attending there, payment is arranged through the local post office.