§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to hold an inquiry or Commission into the number and suitability of the existing Royal Dockyards and the uses to which they can be put in the event of further reduction in naval armaments; and, if so, what will be the nature of the inquiry or Commission?
§ Mr. AMMONThe matter is already the subject of investigation by the Board of Admiralty, and no need is seen for any formal inquiry.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the present situation has arisen owing to the matter having only been under the consideration of the Admiralty officials, and that, in the Debate on Thursday last, there was agreement in all parts of the House as to the necessity for setting up a Commission to look into the whole question?
§ Major HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the great anxiety that is felt in the dockyards in view of that Debate, and the prophecies that were then made?
§ Mr. AMMONThere is no need for anxiety, except such as might be raised by hon. Members themselves. As the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) will see, inquiry by the Admiralty must precede anything else.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs it not the case that the Admiralty wish to cut down these dockyards but are overridden by political considerations, and would it not be advisable to get some independent committee to inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. J. JONESMay I ask when some of our Front Bench men are going to get cut of the hands of the officials?