§ MR. LOCKIE (Devonport)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that about eighty men have been discharged from the Works Department of Devonport Dockyard, with one week's notice; and whether, in view of the decision of the Admiralty regarding the employees in His Majesty's Dockyard at Woolwich, that the discharges should not take place till April, instructions will be sent to the authorities at Devonport postponing the discharges till April, 1903,
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) The facts are as stated in the lion. Member's Question. The men referred to were taken on for particular works, which have been executed by direct employment of labour; the works having been completed, it is necessary to discharge the men. Such discharges are incidental to the completion of all large works, whether executed by direct labour or by contract, and it is impracticable to avoid them in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.