§ MR. BRAMSDON (Portsmouth)To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty 467 whether he is aware of the number of hours that the crews of the tugs at Portsmouth are engaged in their work, namely, from ninety-five to 110 hours per week; that in consequence the men have frequently to be on duty three and four days and nights continously without any relief whatever, and are consequently discontented; whether he is also aware that during the month of January last the men worked 372 hours, February, 420 hours; and March, 446 hours; and whether he can promise that the matter shall receive attention so that these long hours may be reduced without delay.
§ MR. BRAMSDONTo ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the tugs at Portsmouth are undermanned; that though the men work long hours no extra pay is allowed them; whether any new tug is being built, and, if so, will it be worked at Portsmouth as an addition to the others now in use there, and, if so, when; and whether he is aware that two emergency boats are kept ready day and night during spring tides with crews on board, and that Portsmouth is the only port where two such boats are so kept.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The points raised by my hon. friend in his Questions were brought before the Board by the men themselves at their interviews with the Board at Portsmouth in April last. Their written petitions and the statements they made at the interviews are now receiving careful consideration at the Admiralty.