§ 61. Mr. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether those Royal Fleet Reserve men who are now doing 2139 civilian work in His Majesty's dockyards and elsewhere will be continued in that service and work after the War is over; and what will be the position of these men, who are not allowed to volunteer for active service because told to remain on and work as civilians?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAny such men now employed as civilians in the dockyards will be given every proper consideration as regards future employment, but I am afraid I cannot give a pledge that they will be retained permanently in the dockyard service. As regards the second part of the question, if the hon. Member refers to their position in the Royal Fleet Reserve, these men, whilst serving in the dockyards, will remain in the Royal Fleet Reserve on the same terms as in time of peace, and their time will count towards Royal Fleet Reserve pension or gratuity accordingly.
§ 62. Mr. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a certain number of shipriggers who had served twelve years in the Royal Navy and from seven to eleven years on the Royal Fleet Reserve, and have now become established in the dockyard, have since been told that they lose what they consider their right under Royal Fleet Reserve conditions to the Royal Fleet Reserve bonus; and, seeing that some of these men deny that they were informed that establishment would mean loss of bonus, will he have their case inquired into?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs establishment frees men from the obligation for active service, which is the condition of the Reserve, men so freed cannot continue to enjoy the advantage of service in the Reserve. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind cases of men who have completed twenty years combined service in the Royal Navy and in the Reserve before becoming established, and will furnish me with their names, etc., I will have their cases investigated.