§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the joiners at present working on H.M.S. "Bellerophon" at the Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth, are compelled to lift and return their checks at the Marlborough Gate, and that this means that they have to walk to and from this gate twice daily in their own time, the time occupied in walking being forty-five minutes; whether he can state the reason why these men are not allowed to lift their tickets or checks at the Unicorn Gate, which is only two or three minutes walk from the ship; and whether he will give instruction that 372 the workmen shall be allowed to lift their checks at the gate nearest to the ship upon which they are working.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The statements contained in the Question are in general accord with the facts, and arrangements will be made to meet the hon. Member's request as soon as possible.