§ 68. Mr. ALDENasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the War Office has consented to the release of 20,000 skilled men for shipbuilding; and, if so, if he can state when these men are likely to be forthcoming for such work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. Arrangements have now been made whereby men in the Army whose services can best be utilised for shipbuilding purposes shall be transferred to the Reserve, and then dispatched to those yards which can absorb them to the greatest advantage for shipbuilding purposes. My hon. Friend will appreciate that some difficulty must of necessity be experienced in selecting for release from the Colours the men best suited for the work, but I am able to inform him that a few such men have already been dispatched to shipbuilding yards, and that it is anticipated that they will be forthcoming at. the rate of 1,000 per week during the latter half of this month.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTWill these men be allocated to private yards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should say so, but perhaps the hon. Member will give notice.
§ Mr. TENNANTDoes this mean that fully 20,000 men will be released at the rate of 1,000 a week?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes; the War Cabinet have agreed to that.
§ Sir F. FLANNERYWill the 20,000 skilled men returnable from the Army include marine engineers as well as shipyard operatives?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes.
§ Mr. HOGGEAre those men chosen by the Admiralty or the Array authorities in conjunction with the trade unions, or how is a man to know that he has the technical qualifications to enable him to get his release?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will put into my hon. Friend's hand the method by which we are proceeding.
Colonel Sir F. HALLAre these 20,000 men who are to be released to be taken out of the 470,000 men who are to be combed out or is the Army to be 20,000 short?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt has been discussed, and the War Cabinet has given its decision. It is a very urgent problem. We want these men as soon as possible, and, what is more, we want the maximum output from all who are engaged in the shipyards.