HC Deb 03 April 1917 vol 92 cc1116-7
26. Mr. KING

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is with his knowledge that a number of skilled shipwrights, who until recently were engaged on important ship constructive work at Chatham, Devonport, and Portsmouth dockyards, have been detached from that work and appointed to assist in the inspection of such materials as sail-canvas, duck-cloth, fearnought, and bunting, a class of goods with which they are quite unacquainted; why sailmakers, whose knowledge of these materials is obtained by actual experience, were not appointed to do this work as has been the practice previously; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the services of these skilled shipwrights may be used to the best possible advantage on ship constructive work?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Certain assistant draughtsmen and shipwrights were detached from Chatham, Devonport and Portsmouth yards in November last to assist the principal textile overseer on the inspection of certain work which involved the use of canvas and other textile materials. As, however, the use of other materials was also involved, it was not considered that sailmakers were suitable to undertake the work.