HC Deb 05 March 1919 vol 113 cc374-5
4. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any arrangement for the early demobilisation of apprentices of His Majesty's dockyard; and if he can make any statement as to the position of these men on returning to the dockyard?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I do not think I can do better than to refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Wednesday last to my hon. Friend the Member for the Drake Division. I may repeat that these young men on returning to the dockyard will be credited with the time served in the forces as time served at their trades, and will be given an opportunity to complete their training as tradesmen whilst drawing tradesmen's wages if the term of the apprenticeship has elapsed whilst they have been serving in the Forces.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction in the dockyards on this question and is it not the policy of the Admiralty to do all it can to allay that dissatisfaction. Will he, therefore, reconsider this matter?

Sir B. FALLE

Does the answer apply to apprentices who went out in 1914?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Certainly. In reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Ply- mouth I do not think it is the action of the Admiralty which is causing dissatisfaction, but rather that of the Army Council—the demobilising authority.

Sir ARTHUR BENN

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this action is in accordance with the promise given in 1914 to these apprentices when enlisted? Can he not make some other arrangement?

Dr. MACNAMARA

So far as I know it does carry out the promise.