§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a hired labourer, named Bates, usually employed in the West India Docks naval stores department, but at present engaged in the Deptford naval stores, has been informed that upon reaching the age of sixty years he will be discharged; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the labourer in 1178W question shall be retained in the service until he reaches the age of sixty-five years, in agreement with the general undertaking given in a similar case last year.
§ Mr. McKENNAI am informed that no such statement as that alleged in the first part of my hon. Friend's question has been made. The present regulation permit of men being retained until sixty-five years of age when their services are required and they are fit to perform the duties, but both these conditions must exist in any case in which a man is retained beyond the age of sixty.