HC Deb 15 February 1911 vol 21 cc1031-2
Mr. J. WARD

asked whether the contractors, Messrs. Easton Gibbs and Son, for the new dock works at Rosyth have refused the site for housing offered by the Admiralty as being unsuitable for that purpose, owing to its distance from the main part of the works and other reasons; whether the contractors have laid alternative proposals before his Department for the decent housing of the men near the works; and, if so, what action his Department has taken to provide such facilities for housing by the contractors.

Mr. McKENNA

The contractors have not refused the site in question, and they have not laid alternative proposals before the Admiralty for housing their men.

Mr. J. WARD

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman that that means that they have made no official communication to him or that they have not made any verbal communication to his Under-Secretary?

Mr. McKENNA

So far as we are aware at the Admiralty the reply I have given to my hon. Friend is accurate.

Sir HENRY DALZIEL

Will he enquire into this matter, as I have information that a very disgusting state of affairs exists?

Mr. McKENNA

I do not know as to the facts. I have only replied to the question of fact that the contractors have not made any representation or complaint.