§ 39. Colonel Wheatleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the production side of the Royal Naval 1023 Propellent factory, at Caerwent, has not yet been assimilated to the Scientific Civil Service in accordance with Admiralty Fleet Orders, although their colleagues on the inspection side of the factory who carry out similar duties were assimilated as from 1st January, 1946.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe duties of the chemists employed on the inspection side of the R.N. Propellant Factory, Caerwent, are quite distinct from those of chemists on the production side. The inspection chemists have hitherto unquestionally formed part of the chemical pool and as such were assimilated to the Scientific Civil Service along with other comparable grades of the former scientific and technical pool. The production chemists, on the other hand, have not been regarded as forming part of the chemical pool and their conditions of service have not been exactly similar. As stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on 12th March, revised salary scales for these officers are under consideration in the light of discussions with the staff association concerned and the revision of scales for comparable grades in other Departments.
§ Colonel WheatleyIs the Civil Lord aware that these men are feeling, owing to the long delay in coming to a decision in their case, that they are being discriminated against and treated unfairly, because it is a long time since this question was raised?
§ Mr. EdwardsI am aware of the concern in this matter. I assure the hon. and gallant Member that we are trying to speed it up as much as possible. I can assure him that we will come to a decision at the earliest opportunity.