20. Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of naval ratings who have been put on work formerly done by civilians at Chatham and Sheerness; and if he can specify the nature of such work?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMNaval ratings are required to carry out any work on board His Majesty's ships which is within their capacity, regardless of whether it has ever been performed by civilian labour or not. All work on His Majesty's ships which is beyond the capacity of the naval ratings available, is carried out by civilian dockyard labour. There has been no change in this long-standing practice.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAHas any estimate been made of the amount of unemployment caused in the dockyards by this new practice?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMNo estimate has been made, because the suggestion has never been made, as far as I am aware.