§ MR. JOHN HOWARDTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give approximately the number of discharges contemplated by the Admiralty amongst the men employed in Sheerness Dockyard from 22nd May, 1905, to the end of the financial year, and the rate at which these discharges are to be effected; also whether he can state the number of discharges that have taken place in Sheerness Dockyard from 1st January, 1905, to 22nd May, 1905.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The number of discharges contemplated from the 22nd May to the end of the financial year is 540. The rate of discharge, which was at first twelve per week, has recently been increased to twenty per week. The total number of discharges between the 1st January, 1905, and the 22nd May is 190, including men discharged at their own request and on superannuation.