59. Mr. W. M. WATSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that, owing to the failure of some of the men transferred from Rosyth to southern dockyards to find housing accommodation for their wives and families and the inadequate amount paid for subsistence allowance, they are unable to send an amount sufficient to maintain their dependants at Rosyth, who are thus becoming chargeable to the Parish of Dunfermline; if he is aware that already one woman with seven children is receiving parish relief, while many others are in similar circumstances and may be compelled to make application; and what steps he is taking to provide accommodation for these men and their families?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe reply to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on the 24th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Devonport (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 499–500), and on 28th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Central South-wark (OFFICIAL EFFORT, column 2017).
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the last part of the question refers to the dependants of a man who has become chargeable to the Parish of Dunfermline? What steps are he or his Department taking to see that these men are paid sufficient to be able to keep their families?
§ Mr. BUCHANANSeeing that this family has become chargeable to the Poor Law authorities, what steps are the Department taking, if any, to see that this man is so employed by the Department that his family do not come under the Poor Law?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Robinson—
§ Mr. BUCHANANBut, Mr. Speaker, in this question—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"] Are we not entitled to some answer? Here is a family of seven going to the workhouse!