§ 78. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that shipwrights who remained on under the old system are handicapped by their decision; that shipwrights having from six to twelve years' service are required to take their orders from shipwrights, second class, many of whom have seen only six months' service, this being due to juniors on the old scale who accepted the new conditions passing over the heads of the more experienced and senior shipwrights who did not accept the Admiralty offer; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he can see his way to grant shipwrights who preferred to remain under the old system the rating of first-class petty officer so as to give them the same status as shipwrights, second class?
The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Lambert)The advantages of accepting the new system were clearly put before the men at the time of its introduction, and it is not proposed to modify the conditions. It is still open to any shipwright to transfer to the new system.