§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it was brought to his notice some months ago that certain electrical wiring and fitting work was being executed on board the battleships "Duncan"and "Cornwallis" by workmen not receiving the standard rate of wage recognised in the electrical trades; if so, can he state what, if any, investigation took place, and with what result; and whether he will now order an immediate inspection of the work already executed, before it is too late to ascertain what class of work has been put into these ships.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)A statement to this effect, referred to by the hon. Member, was brought to the notice of the Admiralty. Investigation was made, and it was not found that the Thames Company had infringed the stipulations in their contract as to wages. The work on the "Duncan" and "Cornwallis" is being carried out under detailed specifications and tests. An overseer is stationed at the Thames Company's Yard to inspect the electrical work in progress, and the work has to be completed to his satisfaction. The inspection is, therefore, continuous. The work will be inspected as a whole and tested at a dockyard before being finally received. There is not the slightest reason to believe that the work is not of the best quality.