§ Mr. ERNEST LAMBasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the discontent in the writing staffs at the dockyards and other naval establishments owing to the number of vacancies in the higher-paid positions which have not yet been filled, the duties being carried out by writers of lower grades without extra remuneration; whether any, and, if so, what, steps are being taken to fill these positions; and whether those who have been acting in them will be compensated?
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§ Mr. McKENNACertain positions have not been filled owing to the uncertainty whether they would be required under the new scheme. The Report of the Committee on the writing staff is now under consideration, and if any writers have been acting in posts which the Committee recommend should be filled by a higher class of writer, their cases will receive consideration as usual.
§ Mr. ERNEST LAMBasked whether the Committee appointed to report on the writing staffs of His Majesty's dockyards and other naval establishments, and presided over by the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, has yet made its Report; and, if not, when it is anticipated that this Report will be made?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Report has been made, and is now under consideration.
§ Mr. ERNEST LAMBasked when an answer may be expected to the various requests contained in the petition dated January, 1908, presented by the Admiralty and Outports Clerical Federation?
§ Mr. McKENNAAn answer will be sent as soon as a decision is arrived at on the Report of the Committee on the Writing Staffs of the dockyards, which is now under consideration.