86. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if men are being put on the establishment as joiners at the Royal dockyards who have only worked at the trade two or three years, and others who have only been out of their apprenticeship six or eight months; that men who have worked in the dockyards ten and twelve years have been passed over; that this is causing dissatisfaction in the yards; and whether he will take steps to introduce a more equitable method of selecting men for placing on the establishment list?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is the settled policy of the Admiralty, and laid down in Dockyard Regulations, that workmen who have served their apprenticeship in the dockyards shall be given preference for establishment, but it is required that length of service and other qualifications shall also be taken into account. Inquiry is being made with a view to ascertaining whether this preference is being carried too far. If it should be found that undue preference is being given to ex-apprentices, further instructions will be issued.