HC Deb 22 March 1887 vol 312 cc1142-3
MR. J. O'CONNOR(for Dr. TANNER) (Cork Co., Mid)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is true that the Government intend discharging 80 men on the 1st June preximo, from the works now being carried on at Haulbowline; whether any steps have been, or are about being, taken to make a channel from the main river channel to the floating dock; when will this work be actually commenced; when will the new coaling wharf be commenced; and if it is a fact that £5,000 has been advanced for the construction of the said wharf; and, whether, taking into account the depression of the times and the work still to be done in connection with the completion of the Haul-bowline Docks, the Government will continue to employ the men whose services it was proposed to dispense with on the date in question?

THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)

Eighty men, having finished the particular work they are engaged on at Haulbowline, will be discharged, there being no longer any need for their services. A channel from the main river to the floating dock will be commenced this summer. Three thousand pounds has been taken for the construction of a coal wharf in the Estimates for 1887–8. Local men will be employed, as far as is possible, to complete the work; but the men under discharge cannot be retained, as there is not work for them to do.

Subsequently,

DR. TANNER

apologized for not being present when the Question was asked, and he would feel greatly obliged if the noble Lord repeated his answer in reference to the paragraph in the Question asking whether it was a fact that £5,000 had been advanced for the construction of the new coaling wharf?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

said, a Vote for £3,000 was down on the Estimates for next year for the work.

DR. TANNER

When will the work be commenced?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

I cannot state exactly the week or the month when the work will commence.