§ 21. Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked why in the proposals for reconstruction of staffs in the professional departments of the Royal dockyards by Admiralty Order D9941/19/5102 the chargemen of trades were omitted, seeing that such chargemen are directly in touch with the administration of the dockyards; and will, the advisability of the chargemen mentioned being including in the above Order be considered?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty Order referred to in my hon. Friend's, question was a letter of inquiry to the superintendents of the dockyards as to the post-war requirements in respect of the complements of officers, clerical staffs, and drawing office staffs, the information being required for consideration at the Admiralty. It was not considered necessary to obtain similar information concerning chargemen, whose numbers are not determined according to any fixed, complement.
§ 22. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked whether, having regard to the fact that the six days' additional leave granted to Civil servants were given for war services, chargemen of trades in the dockyard with less than three years' service in this rank may receive a proportionate part of the leave as granted to temporary employés entitled to leave?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAChargemen of trades are not entitled to benefit by the grant of the additional week's leave unless they have served as such for a period of three years; the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question has, however, been taken note of, and we will consider whether it can be adopted. But I can at the moment give no undertaking.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre not chargemen Civil servants?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI expect that the great bulk of them are on the establishment.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhy is there to be a difference made between one set of Civil servants and another?
§ 23. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked when the chargemen of trades may expect a reply to the interview with him on the 30th May, 1918, with reference to their petition of November, 1917?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA letter was sent to the Secretary of the United Government Workers' Federation on 20th August dealing with matters raised at the interview of 31st May, including those relating to chargemen. If the interview of 31st May is not the one referred to by my hon. Friend I shall be pleased to hear from him and will then look further into the matter.