§ 38. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that all employés at the naval armaments supply depot, Gosport, Hants, who have attained 60 years of age and over have been given notice of discharge as from nth May next; if he is aware that all these men affected have undergone a satisfactory medical examination at Haslar Hospital; and if he will explain why he is treating old employés of the State in this way?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMNo, Sir. Only five out of the 22 men at present over 60 are under notice of discharge owing to reduction in the work on which they have been employed. The normal rule is for Admiralty employés to be discharged at 60 unless there is any particular reason for retaining them beyond that age and they are medically fit for further employment.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill they get any superannuation or pension?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMIf they are establishment men, they will get the ordinary pension.
§ Captain FANSHAWEIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that if the policy of the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) and more than two-thirds of the Labour party were adopted, all the workers in this establishment, and in many other establishments, would be out of work?
§ Mr. KELLYMay I ask if any provision is made for gratuity or pension in the ease of those who are discharged at 60 years of age?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI must have notice of that question.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that the hon. and gallant Member behind him is a perverter of the truth?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask why this is being done in view of the recent letter addressed by the Prime Minister to employers of labour all over the country asking them not to discharge men? Why does not the Government set the example?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThere is nothing in the least unusual about this. These men are being discharged because the work they were doing has come to an end, and we have to employ other workers on special work for which these men are not qualified. There is not enough money to keep everybody going.