§ 7. Captain Ryderasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what circumstances have led to the decision to make the position of Leading Man of Wharf, His Majesty's Victualling Yard, Malta, one to be held by a United Kingdom worker when for the past 60 years the position has been filled by a local entrant; and what will be the increase in the annual cost of maintaining this appointment.
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Walter Edwards)It has been found necessary to appoint an officer from the United Kingdom to the post temporarily because none of the local entrants can be recommended at present as having suitable experience and qualifications. The increase in the annual cost of maintaining the appointment is £103 per annum in salary and £270 per annum for foreign service allowance. In addition, free passages to Malta will be provided for this officer and his family.
§ Captain RyderIs it not rather regrettable that this should be necessary? Surely the policy of the Admiralty in this 1349 year of grace should be to try to encourage the Maltese. and not to discourage them by replacing them with personnel from this country at added cost to the Exchequer?
§ Mr. EdwardsIn the first place, no Maltese has ever held this appointment. It has been held for the last 50 years by ex-naval ratings who came from this country and served in Malta. I assure the hon. and gallant Member that it is Admiralty policy to try to train Maltese for these posts, but that as far as the present position is concerned we find that there is nobody suitable and, therefore, we must send out someone from the United Kingdom.