§ In reply to Captain PRICE (Devonport),
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. R. W. DUFF) (Banffshire)said, that notice had been given to 343 men to be discharged from Devonport Dockyard from the 20th instant. All these men had been engaged for purely temporary services in January last, on the distinct understanding that they would be discharged at the end of March. Communications were being held with the authorities at Devonport Dockyard, and it was hoped that arrangements might yet be made to prevent the discharge of a larger number of these men. No reduction had been made, or was intended to be made, in the normal staff of the establishment.
§ MR. PULESTON (Devonport)asked whether the hon. Gentleman was aware of the terms of the notice, which informed the men that their services would not be required after the 20th instant, "in consequence of a reduction of hands." Could the hon. Gentleman reconcile that statement with what he had said?
§ MR. R. W. DUFFsaid, the men had been engaged only until the end of March, and simply for temporary purposes.