§ CAPTAIN DONELAN () Cork, E.I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the 87 men lately discharged from Haul-bowline Dockyard are now out of work; whether he is aware that the breakwater behind the Dockyard has been left in a half-finished condition; and whether the Admiralty will consider the desirability of giving much-needed employment by completing this necessary structure; and also, in view of the scarcity of hay, of finding profitable employment for the unemployed workmen in cutting and saving the grass at present growing over the Haulbowline Docks?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) Dundee(a.) It has not been practicable to reemploy the 87 men lately discharged from Haulbowline Dockyard; but a few of them will probably be re-entered shortly, as found necessary. The numbers-employed by the Admiralty from time to-time depend on the new works and repairs in progress, for which provision is made in the Annual Estimates, (b.) The work of covering the earth-banks-behind the Dockyard with a stone face has been partially carried out, and there remains about one-fourth of the work to be done when funds are available. This service is not of an urgent nature, and has had to give way to more pressing claims, owing to want of funds, (c.) Profitable employment could not be found in cutting the grass on the "Extension Works," as it is not considered worth saving.
§ MR. FLYNN () Cork, N.May I ask whether the amount provided in the Annual Estimates will be spent within 12 months on this Dockyard?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThat is certainly the intention?