§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the numbers and pay in the Navy Estimates for 1910–11 of senior writers in the constructive and engineering dockyard departments at Portsmouth, Devonport, and Chatham; why several of these posts have remained vacant for a period of several years; and whether he will take immediate steps to fill these positions with a view to improve the position of those in the lower grades who have suffered through the block in promotion?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe numbers asked for in the first part of the question are: Two in the engineering department and three in the constructive department at each yard. Some of these places have not been filled, because the establishment of numbers has been under the consideration of his Majesty's Government in connection with the inquiry into the writing staffs of the Royal yards generally; as soon as a decision has been reached, any vacancies in the revised establishment then sanctioned will be filled immediately.
§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea when a decision will be arrived at?
§ Mr. McKENNAI hope it will be soon.
§ Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state when the answers to the petitions presented by the workmen in July of last year may be expected?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe petitions are being dealt with as quickly as possible, but a definite date for completion cannot at present be given.
§ Mr. A. HENDERSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether nothing can be done to expedite the replies to the petitions of the workmen? Almost every year a good many months have to elapse before they can get any reply.
§ Mr. McKENNAWe have a very large number of petitions at the present moment, and the practice is to answer them altogether. Consequently we have to wait until the whole subject has been inquired into. I will look into the matter, and see whether we could not give interim replies to some of the petitions.
§ Mr. A. HENDERSONasked whether it is proposed to give 2s. a week advance in wages to all classified established mechanics employed at Portsmouth by the engineer manager and constructor manager who were established previous to January, 1909?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply to my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.
§ Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give instructions to the director of Portsmouth Dockyard to strictly observe the conditions promised by regulation to men placed on the established list previous to January, 1909?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt has been ascertained that the regulations regarding establishment and established men are strictly adhered to at Portsmouth Yard.