§ Sir G. COLLINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that certain men who prior to the War were employed in the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, as skilled labourers on writing duties, and who in the ordinary course, but for War, would have been promoted to the grade of clerks, have been refused such promotion; is he aware that the Admiralty Administrative Whitley Council have recommended that the men in question be placed on the permanent clerical staff; and will he reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. AMMONThe answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. It is not a fact, however, that these particular men would necessarily have been made clerks in the ordinary course, but for the War. The question of the position of these men has not been before the Admiralty Administrative Whitley Council, but representatives of the clerical grades concerned were consulted on the subject. I am giving the matter further consideration.