§ 17. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the work on the new battleships on the Tyne has yet been started: if not, what progress is being made in this direction; if he is aware that numbers of men are being dismissed from the Wallsend slipway and Armstrong's Naval Yard; and, if so, what immediate steps are proposed for the alleviation of unemployment in the Newcastle area?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLWork on the battleship in question has been started and is proceeding in a, normal manner. I understand the discharges referred to are due to the completion of work on a merchant vessel.
Mr. DOYLEIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the intense disappointment and irritation in the district owing to the fact that the work which, it was expected, would be started, has not been started, and that discharges are taking place every day? Is he also aware of the amount of suffering and misery in the district caused by unemployment?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLOnce the Admiralty have given the contract, they have no more say in the matter as to how that contract shall be carried out. As far as the Admiralty are concerned, we could not do more than place the order for one of the battleships in this district.
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThere is no inordinate delay, as far as I know. The firm carries on the work of the contract in its normal manner.