§ 5. Mrs. Middletonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many riveters, caulkers, welders and drillers, respectively, in Devonport Dockyard have suffered reversion to a lower grade during the last two years; how many have subsequently been reinstated; and what steps have been taken to get those men not reinstated placed in comparable work in other undertakings.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe changes which have taken place since October, 1946, in the numbers employed in the grades mentioned, are as follow: Riveters, 56 downgraded, 41 reinstated, caulkers, 27 downgraded, none reinstated, welders, 55 downgraded, 11 reinstated, drillers 56 downgraded (including one on medical grounds), none reinstated.
As regards the last part of the Question, every effort is made to find suitable employment within the dockyard or in local Admiralty establishmènts for the men concerned. When this is not possible or the men refuse to accept employment in a lower category, the dockyard officers can only advise them to register at the employment exchanges. These exchanges are, however, notified by the Admiralty in advance of any anticipated redundancy.