§ 16. Mr. VIANTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that work formerly done in His Majesty's Dockyards by building trade operatives is now being done by naval ratings; and, if so, will he state the reasons for such a change?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMNaval ratings are occasionally employed on simple jobs of decorative and building work undertaken for the benefit of naval personnel when the Commander-in-Chief at the Port is satisfied that they can do the work satisfactorily and can be spared for the purpose. The Board see no reason for stopping the practice.
§ Mr. VIANTIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this has entailed the discharge of a number of building trade operatives from the dockyards?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI have not heard of that. Of course, I could not say without a further question.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the Admiralty do all it can to encourage the Navy to rely on its own resources and not a parasitic reliance on naval dockyards?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMOne of the objects which we have in employing ratings on this work is to give them the vocational training which they require when they go into civil life.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn view of the fact that there is an increase in unemployment among dockyard employés generally, will the Admiralty do all it can to keep these men on work?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThere is no need to answer that question. It is obviously our intention.
§ Mr. KELLYIs it not a departure from the usual practice of the Admiralty, and, if so, when was it decided?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThere is no departure. It is a long-established practice.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that Nelson and his captains prided themselves on keeping out of dockyard hands?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn view of the fact that the hon. and gallant Gentleman says there is no departure from established practice, will he look at a speech made by one of the Admiralty-officials at Devonport last week, who said that this was a new practice?