§ 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,) DundeeI answered this question on Monday, and have nothing new to add to-day.
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the continued delay in coming to a decision on this question is leading to much irritation?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI have no doubt that the people concerned are anxiously awaiting the decision, but they are not more anxious than we are that the matter should be settled. It is hardly for the hon. Gentleman to blame us in reference to the administration of an Act adopted by the Government which he supported in the last Parliament.