§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a notice appears, outside the Plymouth Labour Exchange stating that shipwrights are urgently wanted for the Devonport dockyard; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider the advisability of offering some further inducements for shipwrights to enter the yard, either by increasing the establishment or by formulating a pension scheme for hired men guaranteed by the Admiralty?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am aware that the Plymouth Labour Exchange is endeavouring to obtain a certain number of shipwrights for service in the Devonport dockyard; but the hon. Member is not entitled to infer that the shortage is due to unfavourable conditions of service in the yard. There is considerable demand at the present time for shipwrights throughout the shipbuilding industry generally. In any case, I can give no undertaking respecting an increase in the establishment; and as to the question of the creation of a self-supporting superannuation scheme for hired men in the yards, I can add nothing to the statement I made last Monday in the Debate on the hon. Member's Amendment to the Motion that Mr. Speaker do leave the Chair on going into Committee of Supply on Navy Estimates.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the right hon. Gentleman say why he supposes there is a demand for shipwrights there?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is a demand at the present time, but the hon. Member is not entitled to infer that the conditions at the yard are unfavourable.