HC Deb 16 May 1969 vol 783 cc289-90W
Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Public Buildings and Works if he will make a statement on the promotion prospects of ex-Navy department chargemen employed in Portland Dockyard and elsewhere.

Mr. John Silkin

All ex-Navy Works Department chargemen who were transferred to my Ministry with their work in April, 1963, and had not been promoted by 1st April, 1968, were given the opportunity of appearing before promotion boards for promotion to the technical class during 1968.

About forty of these men who were unsuccessful at the promotion board considered that they had not been treated as well as their former colleagues who remained with the Navy Department.

They are, therefore, being offered temporary appointments to technical grade III, subject to their being willing to move, if necessary, to places where there are suitable vacancies.