HC Deb 29 March 1910 vol 15 cc1285-6W
Mr. FIELD

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state under what circumstances the chief ordnance officer, Island Bridge, refused to receive a deputation from the federation representing the majority of the employés; and if such deputations are received at the War Office and other ordnance depots with good results?

Mr. HALDANE

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. It is reported that there has been no refusal to receive deputations since 1906.

Mr. FIELD

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that recently a subordinate was transferred from Curragh to Island Bridge to fill the position of foreman; will he say whether a better selection could have been made at Island Bridge, where there are a number of employés who lost higher posts owing to changes in the establishment; and if he can say whether those men who have been reduced through no fault of their own will be considered for promotion as occasion offers in the future?

Mr. HALDANE

An assistant foreman was transferred from Curragh to Dublin on promotion to fill a vacancy caused by the transfer of a foreman from Dublin to Curragh on promotion to principal foreman. There was accordingly no injustice done to any employé at Island Bridge. The selection was very carefully considered. Each case is impartially dealt with on its merits.

Mr. FIELD

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the foreman writer employed at Island Bridge stated, when certain matters were being investigated as regards irregularities, that the irregularities took place during his absence on the sick list when a writer was in temporary charge; and whether the writer was ever afforded an opportunity of explaining, or whether he was acquainted by the officer in charge of the statements made by the foreman writer?

Mr. HALDANE

The foreman writer stated that certain irregularities brought to notice had occurred during his absence on the sick list. As the ordnance officer was satisfied with the way in which the writer who was in temporary charge had performed his duties, he did not consider it necessary to communicate to him the statements made by the foreman writer.