HC Deb 05 June 1893 vol 13 c193
MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the cause of the delay in announcing the decision of the Government on the subject of the system of classification in Her Majesty's Dockyards, which decision it was promised would be made before Whitsuntide; and whether he can state the time at which it will be made?

THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) Dundee

As I have repeatedly explained to the hon. Gentleman, the decision of the Admiralty as to classification will not be announced until we are in a position to deal with all the other questions affecting labour in the Dockyards. An immense mass of material has had to be collected, analysed, and considered. Unexpected difficulties of various kinds have delayed the decision, but we are doing everything we can to hasten it.

MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question? He told us that the decision would be made known before Whitsuntide.

MR. E. ROBERTSON

I cannot name any date.

MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN

I shall repeat the question on Thursday.