§ MR. HUDSON KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has recently received representations from manufacturers, traders and workmen of the Three Towns and elsewhere as to the serious loss of trade and employment, that will be occasioned in consequence of the order lately issued at Devonport, prohibiting chief petty officers and other ratings of the Navy from purchasing their naval outfit from local outfitters as has been customary for so long a time; and whether, in view of these representations, he is prepared to withdraw the order?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. G. E. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.Representations have been received as stated in the Question. The order is applicable not only to Devonport but to all naval ports, and directs that, in future, men upon first joining the navy are to obtain their outfit from the local government contractors; afterwards they may go where they please for their clothes. It is not proposed to withdraw the order which has been determined upon in the interests of the Service and the men, nor can I admit the assumption in the first paragraph of the Question.