§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that labourers in the Naval Store in Chatham Dockyard are being employed in making and fitting racks, bins, shelves, etc., for store-rooms on H.M.S. "Blake"; that this is joiners' work and is usually done by joiners, at joiners' rates of pay, under the constructive manager; that, when complaint was made of a similar character as regards work on H.M.S. "Blenheim," the Admiral Superintendent promised to stop any further joiners' work being done by labourers; and whether he will take action to put a stop to this practice.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.I am unable to trace any complaint such as the hon. Member speaks of, with regard to H.M.S. "Blenheim." The work of preparing the racks for stowage on board H.M.S. "Blake" was carried out by the storehouse staff, and they were afterwards taken on board in parts and fitted in place by the ship's staff under the supervision of the carpenter of the vessel. I am making further inquiries into the whole matter.