§ 3. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked whether all dockyard labourers are to participate in the 1s. increase of wages; and, if not, why this course is not to be adopted?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAll ordinary labourers employed in His Majesty's dockyards and all skilled labourers on the minimum rate will participate in the 1s. a week increase as from to-morrow. The special rate maximum for skilled labourers will also be increased by 1s. a week from tomorrow.
§ 6. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that men have been entered in the expense accounts offices at several of the dockyards without being called upon to pass a competitive examination; whether, if decided to permanently increase the staff of this department, such additional entries will only be made from an examination list; and will he state when it is proposed to hold an examination for vacancies in this and other departments?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAny writers who may have been entered in the expense accounts department recently without competitive examination have been entered for purely temporary service. It is intended in future to fill all permanent vacancies on the writing staff by the entry of boy writers, who will obtain their appointments by open competitive examinations conducted by the Civil Service Commission. No further examinations for the direct entry of hired writers will, therefore, be held.