§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to discharge a number of the hired labourers at present employed at Deptford Victualling Yard?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)During the last few months some additional labourers have been entered at Deptford Yard for temporary service, in connection with the transfer of the naval store depot to the West India Docks. When this work is finished, their engagement will cease. No other discharges are at present contemplated.
§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, during the present year, the Admiralty have discontinued the manufacture of mustard, pepper, and chocolate at Deptford Victualling Yard; whether large orders for each of these articles have been given to private contractors; whether the mustard and chocolate already delivered by the contractors has been found to be inferior in quality to that previously manufactured at Deptford Victualling Yard; and whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to reconsider the question of manufacturing these articles at Deptford Victualling Yard?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY, Antrim, S.)The manufacture of mustard and pepper was discontinued last year. Chocolate is still manufactured, although orders have been placed and considerable quantities obtained from the private trade. The mustard and; chocolate delivered by contractors have not been found inferior to the Deptford production. There is no intention of re-establishing the manufacture of mustard and pepper.