§ 37. Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the usual practice of discharging a number of the workmen employed at the Peterhead harbour of refuge works has been carried out for this winter season; whether he is aware that, of the thirty or forty men who have been discharged, some are skilled men who have been employed at the works for a considerable time; and whether, in view of this critical period and of the advice that has been given to employers generally to employ as many workpeople as possible, he will have as many men taken on at the Peterhead works as possible, and thus reduce the volume of distress in the district?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty are aware that nineteen (not thirty or forty) employés at the Peterhead harbour of refuge works were discharged in November last, the majority of whom had been entered temporarily to complete certain seasonal work in hand. Only one was a mechanic, and he had but comparatively short service. It is impracticable to employ more labourers at these works at present. The Admiralty are fully alive to the aspect of the matter referred to by my hon. Friend at the end of his question.