§ Sir R. Rossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that at Eglinton Fleet Air Arm station five ex-Servicemen were discharged from employment as mess attendants while non ex-Servicemen were retained in employment of this capacity; and whether it is the policy of his Department in any area where all recruiting is voluntary to give priority to those who served throughout the war in a civilian capacity over those who served in the Armed Forces.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe five ex-Servicemen were among eight mess attendants who became redundant at Eglinton, the other three being non ex-Servicemen. One of the five ex-Servicemen was found alternative employment at another station, but the remaining four were eventually discharged, together with the three non-ex-Servicemen. These seven men were selected for discharge on redundancy in accordance with an agreement between the trade union and official sides of the Admiralty Industrial Council, which regulates the procedure in such circumstances at all Admiralty establishments. Efficiency, length of service, and the completion of an Admiralty apprenticeship, are all taken into consideration. The local officers of the Ministry of Labour and the British Legion were informed of the details of these discharges, and raised no objections.