§ 9. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the working hours at Inver-gordon have been reduced and that overtime ceases on 28th April; that the men and their families are now seeking to return to the yards from which they originally volunteered, and if he can assist these men with railway fares or even half-fares to return to their work; and that many of these men have foregone their regular leave on free pass so as to complete work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the first and second parts of the question, it is the case that the actual working hours have been reduced, and that it is intended still further to reduce the amount of overtime so far and as soon as the exigencies of the Service admit. As regards the third part of the question, I may inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the men have been drawing an allowance on account of being separated from their families. Nevertheless, the question of the issue of passes for the families to return to their homes in the cases referred to in the fourth part of the question is under consideration.