§ 16. Mr. LATHANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that H. Loukes, a disabled ex-service man, of 265, Queen Mary Road, Manor Estate, Sheffield, one of the first members of the staff engaged in the Naval Ordnance Department, inspection section, Jansan Street, Sheffield, has recently been dismissed, while others junior to him and trained by him have been retained; whether regard has been paid to the fact that he was one of the few ex-service men employed; and whether he will give an assurance that this dismissal indicates no change of Government policy in regard to the employment of disabled ex-service men?
§ Sir S. HOAREH. Loukes was included in a batch of men discharged from the Naval Ordnance Inspection Department recently on reduction of numbers. Those discharged were selected after careful comparison of the claims for retention of the various men affected, including their relative merits as workmen. All the men retained in the section in which Loukes was employed were ex-service men, with one exception. This discharge does not indicate any change in the policy regulating the employment of ex-service men.
§ Mr. LATHANDoes it not appear rather peculiar, if it is a question of merit warranting retention, that men trained by Loukes have been retained while he has been dismissed?
§ Sir S. HOAREI understand that very careful consideration was given to the claims of Loukes and the other men and that, upon the whole, it was thought necessary to make this decision.
§ Mr. LATHANWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire into that aspect of the case to which I have drawn attention?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs the hon. Member has raised the point, I will certainly look into it.