§ Mr. Binnsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present order of seniority of the 12 senior foremen of works, and acting general foremen of works in the Civil Engineer-in-Chief's Department, Admiralty; and what regard is had to the question of seniority, in selecting suitable officers to fill vacant posts for general foremen of works.
§ Mr. AlexanderThere are at present no confirmed general foremen or senior foremen of works. The order of seniority of those holding acting appointments in these grades is determined generally by their seniority in their confirmed rank of foremen of works. Where officers drawn from the list of acting foremen are selected for promotion to these grades, they are regarded as junior to all those drawn from the list of confirmed foremen. In selecting officers to fill vacant posts for general foremen and senior foremen, regard is paid to the question of seniority, but age and suitability inevitably play their part in the final selection.
§ Mr. Binnsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the National Association of General Foremen and Foremen of Works, Civil Engineer-in-Chief's Department, Admiralty, wrote on 1st October, 1945, asking for a conference between themselves and the official side to discuss a number of matters regarding their status and salary schemes; that no reply was sent to this application until 6th December last, and arrangements have still not been finally made for the deputation to be received; and whether steps can be taken to expedite the matter.
§ Mr. AlexanderYes, Sir. The delay in replying to the original letter from the Association was due to extreme pres sure of work, as was explained at the time. The amplified statement of points to be discussed, which accompanied the Association's letter of 1st January, and which covers a very wide field, has since been under consideration although this has been delayed still further by the move of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief's Department from Bath to London. It is hoped to complete arrangements for the reception of a deputation from the Association in the near future.