36. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a man who has served four and a half years in the Royal Engineers Civil Department and, on being discharged on reduction of staff, enters Sheerness Dockyard, is entitled to count the service in both Departments as seniority for establishment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn assessing seniority as a factor for determining selection for establishment in His Majesty's Dockyards, it is the policy of the Admiralty to take into account only the time rendered in their service. Such a man as the one referred to in my hon. Friend's question would, however, be eligible for consideration with others for establishment in vacancies as they may occur, subject to compliance with the Regulations as to age, etc.; and as he appears already to have served in another Government Department, allowance would be made for the time so served in determining his eligibility in respect of age, up to the actual age of fifty.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the men are discharged in accordance with seniority?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will let my hon. Friend have the whole of the Regulations in regard to it. We have gone into it with great care.
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDCan the right hon. Gentleman inform us why they have refused to allow merchant ships to be constructed in these docks, thus necessitating the discharge of these men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not know whether my hon and gallant Friend referred to Portsmouth?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere was an offer of two merchant ships for that yard, but no slips are available. The possibility of building merchant ships elsewhere is still before us.