HC Deb 27 November 1919 vol 121 cc1897-8
77. Mr. WALLACE

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of men being discharged from His Majesty's Dockyard, Rosyth, he will state when the Committee to inquire into the question of adapting dockyards for the building of mercantile ships will begin their work?

The FIRST LORD Of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Long)

I have been asked to answer this question. As I explained yesterday, the Committee will hold its first meeting on Monday, and will continue to meet day by day until its work is accomplished.

As indicated yesterday, the Board had arranged to go into the whole matter of the dockyard discharges later in the day, which they did, and think it due to hon. Members who put questions to me yesterday, shortly to say that we have notified Portsmouth, Devonport, Sheer-ness, Pembroke, Haulbowline, and Dover, to the effect that It has been decided to modify programme of discharges on reduction for present, in view of unemployment conditions, and pending result of inquiry already announced into possibility of undertaking commercial work. This will be done by still further bringing forward work which it was originally proposed to spread over a longer period. Steps are accordingly to be taken to reduce notices of discharge due to take effect on Saturday next, 29th November, and in subsequent weeks, down to one-sixth of number previously authorised, pending further instructions. In selecting employés for discharge on this new basis, every care is to be taken to provide for cases of hardship. As far as possible, men with families should be retained in preference to single men. As regards Chatham, where, as hon. Members will remember, there was much more definite willingness expressed to go on short time, we have decided to continue the policy in that yard of issuing no discharges on reduction. But in consideration of the steps which have enabled [...] so substantially to reduce discharges elsewhere, the application of short time at Chatham will be so arranged as not to prejudice that yard.

Mr. WALLACE

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions to this Committee to expedite their inquiry and produce their report at the earliest possible date?

Mr. LONG

It is quite obvious that the Government cannot issue instructions to a Committee, but that there will be no delay is indicated by the fact that the Committee proposes to sit de die in diem.