§ 23. Mr. ALBERYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of pending discharges from Chatham Dockyard, whether he will take steps to facilitate the reemployment of these men in civil life by bringing their experience and qualifications to the notice of likely firms, and especially those who are Government con- 360 tractors; where such action results in men being obliged to move, with their families, to another part of the country, will he state if he is able to give any assistance to facilitate such moves; and, as regards any unskilled labour, will he notify any large local employers of these pending discharges and request that such men may be considered for any suitable vacancies?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)It will be the duty of the dockyard officers to supply particulars concerning the workmen discharged to the officers of the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchanges, so that they may do what is possible to assist the men to obtain other employment; but it is not proposed that the Admiralty should attempt to duplicate the functions of the Employment Exchanges and the Local Employment Committees working in connection with the Exchanges.