§ Admiral of the Fleet Sir HEDWORTH MEUXasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if about forty men over military age were discharged from various departments in Portsmouth Dockyard on 11th November; whether these men were quite capable of continuing their work; whether men of military age are being retained; and whether, when future reductions are made, men over military age will be retained, and the younger men released for military service?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The answer to the first part of the question 309 is in the negative. The second part of the question therefore does not arise. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, the Admiralty policy is such that any reductions which may be practicable would be effected by releasing men of military age rather than those over military age.