§ Sir C. KINLOCH - COOKEasked whether some years ago certain moulders were discharged from Devonport Dockyard on reduction, and were re-entered several weeks later as skilled labourers, one under the chief engineer; whether this man has now been employed as a labourer for six years, and, during that time, men have been entered from outside and taken on as moulders; whether the man to whom reference is made was originally an apprentice, in Devoport Dockyard; and whether it is the practice of the Admiralty, as far as possible, to employ men at their own trade and to give preference, where opportunity occurs, to their own apprentices?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first three questions is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, it is certainly the practice of the Admiralty, as far as possible, to employ men at their own trades, and, other things being equal, to give a preference to dockyard ex-apprentices. But the primary consideration is, and must be the selection of the best men available for the work.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAm I to understand that a man who has been 805 employed for six years in the same employment is not competent to undertake this work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not wish to enter into questions of a man's capacity. We offered the man work as a skilled labourer.