§ Viscount DUNCANNON (by Private Notice)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is a fact that the Admiralty Dockyard at Dover is to be 40 closed; and, if so, whether he will reconsider a decision which would add considerably to the large number of unemployed in Dover as well as seriously damage the interests of the town in other ways?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. The post-war needs of the Fleet do not justify the continuance of our naval activities at Dover. We shall, therefore, be compelled to close them down as from 31st March, though there may be a small amount of reconditioning work upon trawlers or drifters continued after that date. We took care, of course, to give early notice to our employés of this necessity.
Our work at Dover—as at Invergordon, also to be closed down—has been very largely War expansion work.
At the present time, there are 360 employés, most of whom, I am afraid, will have to leave us. About 50 of these, however, are established men, or men transferred from other yards These, of course, will be invited to return to their original place of employment.
The Controller of the Navy and myself are receiving a deputation from Dover on Saturday next on the matter; but I confess I can see no way of meeting what will, no doubt, be their request to us.
§ Viscount DUNCANNONWill the Admiralty consider the possibility of arranging for the existing works to be put to some commercial use?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat depends on the Colvin Report. Nothing has come Dover way yet.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay we assume that the established men at Dover will not displace established men at other yards?