HC Deb 02 April 1889 vol 334 c1400
MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

As I do not see the First Lord of the Admiralty in his place, may I ask the Civil Lord why over 400 men have been discharged from Haulbowline Docks; and whether, if the docks are completed, it is the intention of the Government to get any naval constructive or repairing work done there?

THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT,) Sheffield, Ecclesall

No considerable number of men have been discharged from Haulbowline this year. Within the past two years most of the men on the Haulbowline extension works have been by degrees discharged, because the works were practically finished. The Government hope to utilize the docks from time to time as the Service may require; but there is no immediate intention of having work done there.

MR. J. O'CONNOR

May I ask the hon. Member if he can inform me what the machinery is that was paid for in the Estimates last year? Has it been put up; and, if put up, has it been kept in order so as to be useful for the exigencies of the State and of the Navy?

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I believe the only machinery was a pumping-engine. That was the only machinery included in the Estimates last year. The pumping is nearly finished, but there are some minor works.