§ 24. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all the men sent to Devonport from the closed dockyards of Rosyth and Pembroke are established men or whether it is contemplated sending any hired men?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)With the exception of a few hired men who were transferred from southern yards to Rosyth during the War, all the men are established.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAAre these hired men who have been transferred being given employment in every case?
§ 25. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what allowances are being paid to men sent to Devonport from Rosyth and Pembroke?
Mr. DAVIDSONAs the reply is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The reply is as follows:
§ Men transferred from Rosyth or Pembroke to Devonport are entitled to travelling expenses for themselves and their families and the removal of their furniture at the public expense. Those who were householders at their former yards at the time of transfer—that is to say, were tenants or owners of premises furnished with their own furniture—are entitled to certain allowances in respect of temporary accommodation until permanent accommodation can be secured. The allowance payable to men who are obliged to take furnished accommodation for themselves and their families at Devonport is based on the extra cost of such accommodation over that of unfurnished accommodation, and the allowance payable to men who leave their families behind at Rosyth or Pembroke and live by themselves in lodgings is the extra expense of their board and lodging over the cost of their food when living at home. The maximum allowance payable for the first six months is £1 a week for men whose basic pay exceeds £100 a year and 15s. a week for others. Allowances within one-half of these amounts are payable for a second period of six months if necessary. In addition, reasonable charges for storage of furniture are repaid for a period not. exceeding 12 months. The foregoing is a general statement of the limits within which these lodging allowances are payable, but I may add that in special cases the question of relaxing these limits is considered if it is shown that owing to exceptional circumstances serious hardship would be involved by adhering to them.
§ 26. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of men who have arrived in Devonport and Plymouth from the closed dockyards of Rosyth and Pembroke, respectively; how many more men may be expected to arrive; and on what approximate dates?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe numbers already arrived are 230 from Rosyth and 118 from Pembroke. The further numbers expected are 46 from Rosyth and 57 from Pembroke. The transfers will probably be completed by 30th September next.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill all these men be found employment?