§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the threatened closing of shipbuilding yards where there is no dispute at present pending between employers and employed; whether any Government contract is likely to be delayed in consequence; and, in the event of any delay on the part of any contracting firm, what action, if any, he proposes to take with regard to the matter.
§ MR. McKENNAI have read the Press reports on the subject of a possible lock-out in the near future. Contracts for building Government ships provide that the contractor shall immediately, on the occurrence of a lock-out, give notice thereof to the Admiralty. No such notice has yet been received. Should any lock-out occur the execution of certain Government contracts will, in all probability, be delayed. Delay has already been caused in some Government contracts by strikes. The question of taking action is under consideration.
§ MR. CURRAN (Durham, Jarrow)Can no definite action be taken against firms holding Government contracts who lock out their men?
§ MR. McKENNAThat is one of the points under consideration.