§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked whether men cannot obtain employment in His Majesty's dockyards except through local Labour Exchanges; and whether other than local men are taken on?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am sending the Noble Lord the very full replies given upon the question of the utilisation of the Labour Exchanges in the filling of vacancies in the dockyards, on 26th, 30th and 31st October by the President of the Board of Trade and myself. Generally, we think it desirable as employers of labour to avail ourselves, as far as practicable, of the machinery of the Labour Exchange. At the same time our arrangements, which are experimental, do not in any way limit the discretion of the yard officials in asking for men whose services it is desired to secure. Where suitable men are available in the locality such men will, as in the past, be given preference.