§ 29. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men have received notice of discharge in the works departments and other departments, Devonport Dockyard, in the last two weeks; whether any more discharges are anticipated; and whether it would be possible to transfer these men under notice of discharge to the C.M. department or other departments?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)The answer to the first part of the question is 44 men from the works department and five women from another department; 53 men in the works department are to be given notices during the next month. I regret that the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. These discharges are due to the completion of work for which temporary entries were made.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman see his way to reabsorb these men, and, if he cannot, will he represent to the Minister of Labour the inadvisability of importing miners into the town, seeing that they will get the jobs rather than these discharged men?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMObviously, we have to discharge men from time to time when the work is done for which they were engaged, and we endeavour, when opportunity arises, to employ them again. I cannot say more than that.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs it not a fact that the miners who are sent to this district do not want to go when there are men on the spot out of work?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSAre we to assume from the reply that, in case the Navy 2247 were undertaking further contracts, they would always re-employ the discharged men before considering transferees?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMNaturally, we always endeavour to employ men whom we have employed before.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that the policy of transfer, so far as Devonport and Plymouth are concerned, is non-existent?