HC Deb 21 December 1927 vol 212 cc386-7
14. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the new examinations for promotion in His Majesty's Dockyards will take place?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

Examinations for certain grades of professional subordinate officer will, it is expected, be held in the course of the coming year, probably in the second half of the year.

15. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the last batch of 800 discharges from His Majesty's Dockyards, whether, seeing that the Admiralty stated that the reason for making these discharges was that the re-tubing of boilers in His Majesty's ships was not undertaken in accordance with the plans formulated because it was found that the life of the tubes was longer than anticipated, he will say when the survey was made which induced the Admiralty to come to the conclusion that these tubes had a longer life than previously estimated?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

The surveys were made between November, 1926, and January, 1927. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the dockyard programme which is prepared in the Autumn for the ensuing year must necessarily be of a somewhat tentative nature, and subject to subsequent additions and omissions.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

If these surveys were held as far back as November, 1926, and January, 1927, can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why it is that no announcement was made indicating that there would be any discharges until August of this year?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

The surveys took place between the dates that I have mentioned, but the final decision regarding what was going to be done on these surveys was not made until later, in March or April. The dockyard authorities postponed discharges as long as possible, in the hope of additional work becoming available, including repayment work. Actually, as the hon. Member knows, it was only possible to secure additional repayment work sufficient to employ 200 men, and 800 men were, therefore, discharged. Obviously, we are as anxious as we can be not to discharge men unless it is absolutely necessary, and that is the reason why the delay has taken place.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman see how serious the position is, when it was only stated in August that the work which a few months before was estimated to be required would not be undertaken?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I have tried to give the hon. Member the reason that we had in view, which was, if possible, not to discharge so many men.