§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether any, and what, means were taken to ascertain the fact, as recently stated by him, that the firemen employed in the Davenport Dockyards are satisfied with the present arrangements; whether it is the fact that two Petitions detailing their grievances had been some time previously forwarded to the Admiral Superintendent from the turn-cocks and engine-drivers and stokers; and, whether they received a reply to the effect that "the matter has been considered, and nothing can be done in it"?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The Admiral Superintendent of Devonport Dockyard informed me that the men were generally satisfied; and that, upon his informing them if they wished to give up this duty and the remuneration attached to it they could do so, they declined to take that course. The cost of the extra arrangements for dealing with fire in all the Dockyards, except Devonport, does not exceed £35 per annum. At Devonport, where different conditions exist, the cost of provisional arrangement introduced in 1886 was £960 per annum; and because the Admiral Superintendent has made some changes by which this excessive cost is reduced to £210 per annum, the hon. Gentleman has put to me nearly 30 Questions in support of the former extravagant system.