§ Sir R. GOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is a variation in practice in various Admiralty establishments in regard to the counting of incremental service in the case of hired industrial employés serving in acting capacities in higher grades, who are subsequently confirmed in their appointments within a year from the date of their acting appointments; and whether he will take steps to ensure that incremental credit on the basis of the acting appointment shall be allowed in all such cases as from the date of the acting appointment?
Captain WALLACEThere are at present some differences in practice at the several dockyards, etc., in the manner of giving credit for acting service in a higher grade to certain hired industrial employés when they are subsequently confirmed in the higher situation, and the matter is now under review. It is not possible to give in advance of this inquiry the undertaking asked for in the last part of the question, but I shall be glad to let my hon. Friend know when a decision has been reached.