§ 81. Colonel Clarkeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why G. R. H. Harris, P/KX. 812650, stoker, a trained toolmaker, who during the war volunteered twice for active service but was refused permission on account of the importance of the work done by him and his firm for Admiralty and Air Ministry, is now engaged as a messman at Worthy Down.
Mr. DugdaleEvery endeavour is made to allocate National Service entrants in the Royal Navy to branches where their civilian skill can be fully employed, but this is not always practicable. Stoker Harris who entered in December, 1946, and because of his low age and service group he is due for release in 1948. With this short period of service, it would have been uneconomical to give him the lengthy training of the more skilled branches. Unfortunately, it is necessary on occasions to employ stokers, and men of other branches, on domestic duties, and Harris has been employed as a messman because of the shortage of civilian labour. He has now been withdrawn from these duties and is serving in Stamshaw Camp, Portsmouth, on the maintenance of fire fighting equipment and on general camp duties.