§ 15. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of extra, men employed by the private shipyards in Great Britain each week for the three weeks ending 19th January last?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot now provide my right hon. Friend with the figures for each of the three weeks ended 19th January. I can tell him, however, that there was a net increase during the two months ended 30th November of about 4,000. I can tell him further that during the two weeks ended the 4th and 11th January the additional entries were 1,378 and 848 respectively. I ought to say, however, that these last figures do not represent net additions, but include transfers from one yard to another.
Shipbuilders have been asked to render weekly demands of the classes of labour they require, with a statement showing 966 how the demands of the previous week have been met, and if my right hon. Friend will at any time put a question down sufficiently in advance of the day of answering, I will gladly give him the figures he requires for the weeks covered by his question.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDid the right hon. Gentleman include in his answer the month of December, or was it only for November?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI believe that the figure I gave of about 4,000 was for the two months ending 30th November. Then I gave two weeks ending 4th and 11th January.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWhy not give December?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid I have not got those figures. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.
§ Sir C. HENRYWill the right hon. Gentleman give the net figures?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the weeks ending 4th and 11th January? No, I have not got those figures.
§ Mr. HOUSTONDid not the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller say that building during December was less than during November?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say.