§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any shipbuilding contracts with the Admiralty are now being carried out by the Thames Ship Building and Iron Works Company; whether he is aware that, in consequence of certain trade differences, a considerable number of unskilled workmen are now employed as rivetters in such works, and that some of the bolts are very imperfectly rivetted; and, whether efficient inspection is practised, to prevent such rivet-ting from being passed?
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONThe Blenheim is being built by the Thames Shipbuilding Company. The Admiralty are aware that certain difficulties have arisen with the workmen, but they are not aware that any unskilled workmen are employed on skilled work, or that any work has been done imperfectly. There is efficient inspection, and there is no risk of imperfect work being passed even if—which is unlikely from the reputation of the firm—such an attempt was made.