§ 32. Captain Pluggeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he regards it as satisfactory that the present number of established men in Admiralty naval establishments amounts to-day to less than one-sixth of the number of hired men employed in those establishments, whereas in 1930 the proportion was under one-third; and whether he will set up an inquiry at an early date in order to investigate the practicability either of bringing about a large increase in the establishment or of enabling a better proportion of the employés concerned to enjoy the protection of a pension scheme of some kind?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is that in 1936 a revised complement of established posts to remain in force for five years was fixed in consultation with representatives of the workpeople, and it is not proposed to set up an inquiry into 1278 a matter which is dealt with through the recognised negotiating procedure of the Department. As to the institution of a pension scheme of any other kind, I can add nothing to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 25th November last.
§ Captain PluggeDoes not my hon. Friend think that the recommendation put forward by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service recommending an inquiry into a pension scheme for industrial civil servants, should be proceeded with?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThat is a matter which is dealt with by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.