HC Deb 26 August 1909 vol 9 cc2293-4
Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the lack of any provision for prompt medical attendance for the men who may meet with accidents during the construction of the new base at Rosyth; whether the terms of the contract contained any stipulation for the provision of such medical requirements being supplied; and, if not, what action, if any, he proposes to take to make good the omission?

Dr. MACNAMARA

A clause is embodied in the contract making the contractors responsible for all personal injuries arising out of or in connection with the execution of the works. It is understood that the contractors have appointed a surgeon at Inverkeithing, who also acts as the Admiralty surgeon, for surgical attendance on their workmen.

Mr. J. WARD

Is it not a fact that some of the men who have met with accidents have had to be carted 4½ miles to the place the hon. Gentleman mentioned; and would it not be advisable to have some medical assistance nearer than that?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Inverkeithing is three miles away, not 4½. I will look into the matter more closely, and see that proper provision is made.

Mr. J. WARD

I should certainly like the hon. Gentleman to do so.

Mr. J. WARD

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the lack of proper house accommodation for the workmen now collecting together at Rosyth for the construction of the new naval base; and whether the Board of Admiralty are taking steps to deal with this subject without further delay?

Dr. MACNAMARA

There is no lack of accommodation for the workmen at present employed at Rosyth. It is probable that accommodation required for the additional men who will be employed in the near future will be provided by private enterprise. As regards the last part of the question, the Admiralty provided in the contract for handing over to the contractors a plot of land (about 6 acres) for the purpose of constructing buildings thereon for the workmen, if they desire to do so.

Mr. J. WARD

Are we to understand that as a matter of fact the Admiralty have made no provision whatever for housing the men, and that they are relying entirely upon private rack-renters to institute the necessary accommodation?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Under the contract all we have done is to set aside this plot of land for the purpose of the contractor building the houses. But he must submit his plans and designs to the Admiralty. Under the contract he is not compelled to use the land for that purpose, but he cannot use it for any other purpose.

Mr. J. WARD

May I take it for granted that you have made no provision for compelling the contractor to house the men who will be employed upon the works for the next seven or eight years?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes, under the terms of the contract, I think that is the case.