HC Deb 07 August 1918 vol 109 cc1323-5
6. Mr. HOUSTON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number of skilled shipyard workers and engineers who have, during the past six months, been brought back from the Army and employed in the actual building of ships, engines, and boilers, apart from the making of slipways or berths, and the number of similar men who have, during the same period, been drafted from the yards and engine shops into the Army?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Approximately, 12,500 shipyard workers have been brought back from the Army during the past six months and employed in the actual building of ships, engines, and boilers None of these men have been employed on the construction of shipyards or berths. They are not all skilled workers, a small proportion being semi-skilled. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that it was stated on the 8th July, in reply to the Member for the Hexham Division, that it would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for.

Mr. HOUSTON

In view of the present state of British shipbuilding, is it not imperative that we should have more men in the shipyards, and can the right hon. Gentleman say whether men who have been brought back are equally skilled in efficiency with those taken away?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The great bulk of them are, as I have said, skilled men. I associate myself with what my hon. Friend says about the necessity for getting skilled men.

Mr. G. LAMBERT

Are any skilled men being recruited from the shipyards to-day for the Army?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The last part of the answer says that on the 8th July, on behalf of the Minister of National Service, it was stated that it was not in the public interest to give the information asked for.

Mr. LAMBERT

Are they being recruited at the present time from the shipyards for the Army?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot say off-hand.

Mr. ROCH

Are not large numbers of these 12,500 men Grade 3 men quite unfit for the heavy work of the shipyards and therefore useless for the purpose?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot say in regard to their grade.

Mr. WILKIE

Does the right hon. Gentleman still hold that apprentices up to eighteen years of age should be taken from the shipyards?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Perhaps my hon. Friend will speak to me about that.