§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many more men are to be discharged from the Devonport and Keyham Dockyards; what proportion of those about to be discharged have been trained in the yards; and what effect upon the men's wages, in the way of reduction or otherwise, has resulted from the shifting of the men in the smiths' shops from one department to another?
§ The SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. FORWOOD,) Lancashire, S.W., OrmskirkThe number of men employed at Her Majesty's Dockyards is regulated from time to time by the executive officers at the several yards according to the nature and extent of the work to be performed, as well as the amount available for wages; and although every endeavour is made to afford continuous employment to efficient men, yet, as I imformed the hon. Member so late as Friday last, changes have occasionally to be made in the number of men employed in each trade, as well as in the total number in the yard. No immediate alteration or reduction is considered necessary. No alteration has been necessary in the men's wages by reason of recent transfers in the smiths' shops, but as a rule the rate of pay depends upon the class of work on which the men are engaged.