7. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what progress has now been made towards an increase in salary and improved conditions for pensioner civilian operating room assistants employed in the Royal naval hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe review of the pay and conditions of this small group of staff has received much attention, but progress has, unfortunately, been slow because of the difficulty of establishing standards of comparison in other fields. We are making every endeavour to bring the matter to a conclusion.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettIs it not a fact that only 11 men are concerned, that they are all very highly qualified men with the State registration—or if they have not got it they are asking for it at present—and that negotiations have been going on for four years?
§ Mr. EdwardsI do not think negotiations have been going on for four years. I agree that the number is small, but that is all the more essential that greater consideration should be given to each application.