HC Deb 19 November 1918 vol 110 cc3342-3
40. Mr. HOHLER

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Commission which sat under Admiral Hyde Parker reported in favour of conferring the title of constructive officer on the shipwrights; and, if so, will the Admiralty now confirm that portion of the Report?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As the Report of this Committee is confidential, I am unable to disclose to my hon. and learned Friend the nature of its recommendations. The question of titles was very fully considered before those adopted were decided upon. The title "Constructive Officer" presented administrative difficulties which prevented it being accepted. My hon. and learned Friend is of course aware that in an answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee on 28th February I described the new titles then adopted. My recollection is that the changes then made met the views of those concerned.

Mr. HOHLER

Is not my right ton., Friend aware that the whole of the shipwrights signed a petition asking for this change to be made, and are we to understand that the result of this inquiry, at which all naval ratings were asked to attend and were consulted, is not to be made known to this House in order that the men may know whether or not a Report has been made in favour of their request?

Dr. MACNAMARA

All I can say is that many of the recommendations have been adopted, and I think my hon. and learned Friend must know they have been already published in the Press, and have been in Admiralty Orders some time ago.

Mr. HOHLER

But the particular point I raise is, will he say whether or not this request will be granted, and if not, did the Hyde Parker Commission report in favour or against it?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As I have said, the Report is confidential. But as I said before, we have considered the recommendation. The adoption of the title presented a good many difficulties. I do not know that that is the last word. We may look at it again.

Mr. HOHLER

Was not the Hyde Parker Commission subsequent to the refusal by the Admiralty to adopt the title; was not that Commission appointed to settle this very question amongst others; and was not that Report subsequently accepted by the Admiralty?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Certainly. But the Hyde Parker Commission surveyed a wide field and made many recommendations on many matters.