§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men who have been discharged from Portsmouth Dockyard since 1st January, 1905, the number of men it is intended to discharge during the present financial year, and the number of men who are under notice or have been discharged who have qualified by length of service to claim a bonus, and the total amount payable on such claims.
853 (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The number of men discharged since 1st January, 1905, is 779, of whom 406 were discharged on reduction. The number of men it is at present intended to discharge during the financial year is 1,054. In addition it is estimated that natural wastage during the same period will result in a further reduction of 540. The number of men discharged or under notice of discharge, who are entitled to gratuities, is 201, and the total amount of these gratuities is £6,118 7s. 5d.