§ MR. JOHN BURNSI beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the system of contract labour at the Deptford Victualling Yard is an exception to the system generally prevailing in other yards under the Admiralty; and whether the Admiralty can see its way to employing labour directly at Deptford without the intervention of a contractor?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThe system of contract labour on repairs and maintenance works at Deptford Victualling Yard is an exception to the system generally prevailing in other yards under the Admiralty, where the men are hired and paid direct by the Admiralty. The question of what improvement can be made in the arrangements at Deptford has been for some time under consideration, and due weight will be given to the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
§ MR. DARLINGHad the hon. Gentleman, when he made that answer, in his mind the facts lately brought before the Government by the hon. Member for West Ham?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI do not know to what facts the hon. Member alludes.
§ MR. DARLINGThe facts foreshadowed by the hon. Member when he asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI am glad to have an opportunity of saying that the statements upon which the hon. Member for West Ham founded his Motion were entirely unfounded. The person to whom he referred was not in the employ of the Admiralty. The question was brought under the notice of the Admiralty by a Petition, upon the basis of which inquiries are being conducted.