§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that dissatisfaction prevails in the Royal yards with regard to the question of establishment; that in many cases men of ability and good character with thirty or more years' service are not yet established, while others who have done comparatively small servitude have been placed on the establishment; and can he explain how this comes about?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is inevitable that some disappointment must arise, especially as the number allowed to be established is limited. With regard to the statement that men of comparatively small service have been placed upon the establishment whilst others of longer service remain on the hired list, every endeavour is made to select the best men, and regard is had, in placing men upon the established list, as to whether or not they have served their apprenticeship in the yard. Under a recent order the maximum age for eligibility for establishment has been raised from forty-five to fifty.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present policy of the Government in cutting down the establishment renders it very difficult for men of this age to get on the establishment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have raised the age of eligibility from forty-five to fifty, but with 6,500 established out of over 38,000 men there must obviously be some disappointments.