§ MR. WALTERS (Sheffield, Brightside)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the lack of employment in the East End of Sheffield amongst workmen chiefly dependent upon Admiralty orders, he will expedite the distribution of contracts for his Department.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY To THE ADMIRALTY (Dr. MACNAMARA,) Camberwell, N.The 51 amount of money the Admiralty can spend is limited by the amounts that Parliament sanctions. The Admiralty could not expedite the placing of contracts and the consequent greater expenditure of money during the financial year, without coming to the House for a Supplementary Vote.
§ MR. JAMES HOPE (Sheffield, Central)In view of the exceptional distress in Sheffield cannot the hon. Gentleman bring in a Supplementary Estimate, especially as as a large Naval programme may have to be undertaken next year?
§ DR. MACNAMARANot as I am at present advised.
§ MR. WALTERSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the men employed on this work are specially trained; that it is work of a highly specialised character, and if the men are thrown out in the winter and scattered all over the country, difficulty may be experienced in getting enough together again?
§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)Surely Woolwich would be equal to the occasion.
§ [No Answer was returned.]