§ MR. TANKERVILLE CHAMBERLAYNE (Southampton)To ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the proposed discharge of dockyard employees at Portsmouth can be deferred until the commencement of the summer, when it will be easier for unemployed men to obtain work than it is at present.
(Answered by Mr. Arthur Lee.) Although it would not be possible, in the interests of the service, to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, the discharges will be carried out as gradually as possible, and every care has been taken to effect such reductions as are necessary with the least possible amount of hardship. It is hoped that the number of discharges will not at any time exceed twenty-five in a week at Portsmouth.