§ 27. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the event of a married man being discharged from His Majesty's dockyards, and having secured work elsewhere, he will consider the possibility of granting the man, his wife, and family free transportation to their new place of residence, as well as a grant of money to cover the removal of their furniture?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAFree railway passes to proceed to other places in the United Kingdom where they have secured employment are already granted on the application of any workmen discharged on reduction from the Royal dockyards. We have no authority to grant free railway passes to the families of such men, or to make grants of money to enable the men to meet the cost of the removal of their homes.
§ Sir C. K1NLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is of little use giving a man a free pass without giving one to his wife and children, because he cannot afford to keep up two homes on the wages received
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo; but if the man were away in our employment he would have a subsistence allowance—though that point really does not arise. I am afraid I cannot carry the matter further.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the men who have been discharged from the dockyards, and who have had the opportunity of obtaining work elsewhere, have been unable to go because they could not afford to keep their wives and children in a second home?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAll I can say at present is that we give the men free railway passes. We have no authority—
29. Sir C. KIN LOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the event of men being discharged on reduction from the Royal dockyards, he will consider the possibility of retaining those men who are within three months of the qualification period for gratuity so that they may complete that period and so qualify for their gratuity?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI can assure my hon. Friend that the dockyard officers will deal with the cases of men who have nearly completed the qualifying service for gratuities with all possible consideration. But it is not possible to give the general undertaking desired.