HC Deb 24 November 1919 vol 121 cc1449-50
Sir C. KINLOCH-CQOKE (by Private Notice)

asked whether the First Lord of the Admiralty is now in a position to give the decision of the Admiralty on the recent ballot at Devonport on the Admiralty proposal for a shortened week in the dockyard?

Dr. MACNAMARA

My hon. Friend's question only reached me within the last half hour, a fact for which I understand my hon. Friend is not responsible. As he knows, we put to the men the proposal for short time with no further discharges up to the 31st March, pending advice to us from the Committee initiated by the Prime Minister as to the feasibility of utilising the dockyard facilities now to be eet free from naval effort upon other work of a productive character.

The men were invited to ballot upon this proposal. But with the exception of Chatham, it could not be said that the vote gave us any clear indication of the wishes of the men. The Devonport figures were:

For the proposal. 5,875
Against 2,628
Did not vote 7,571
The figures for Portsmouth and Sheer-ness were even less conclusive of the men's willingness to fall in with this plan. On Friday last, therefore, we dispatched the following telegram to the Admiral Superintendents of Portsmouth, Devonport, and Sheerness, respectively: The Admiralty have decided that as there is no pronounced indication of feeling in favour of adoption of short time proposals at Portsmouth, Devonport, and Sheerness, the proposal shall not be proceeded with there. The discharges due to-morrow will therefore he operative and notices of discharge will be issued as usual. This decision is to be communicated to all concerned. A further detailed communication will be made us soon as possible.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the right lion. Gentleman say whether it is not contrary to the view expressed by the Leader of the House on Thursday that these men would be able to obtain relief from the National Relief Fund, and will he say, in in the event of distress arising from these discharges, what steps the Government propose to take?

Dr. MACNAMARA

There is no need to assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the situation is receiving very careful consideration from us.