§ 16. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty with reference to the £197,800 estimated to be expended in the coming financial year on inspection of contract work, how many officers and workmen are employed in each of the private firms where the contract work is being done; and why so large a sum is expended upon this work of inspection?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe overseeing staff to which this provision relates conists of about 500 officers and workmen. Their distribution varies according to the allocation of work from time to time. I would point out that the cost of inspection is less than 2 per cent. of the value of the work involved and that the number of the staff employed is continuously under review.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman say who are these people who inspect? Are they dockyard officials?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThey are inspectors.