§ MR. LAURENCE HARDY (Kent, Ashford)To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state upon what principle experienced joiners are being discharged at Sheerness Dockyard under Vote 10 whilst other joiners not previously working for the dockyard have been engaged under Vote 8 for five months till 31st March 1908; whether he can see his way to give the preference to workmen with excellent characters in allotting this temporary work; and whether he can state the reason why out of eleven men under notice to leave only two carpenters and joiners were actually discharged.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) Only joiners of experience who had previously served in the Yard under the Controller's Department, and been discharged on reduction, have been entered. No entries of joiners have been made subsequent to discharge from the Works Department. Preference has been given to workmen with excellent characters. Only two carpenters were given notice and these were discharged. Further anticipated discharges were avoided by approval of additional work.