§ 24. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will see, in the event of discharges taking place in Devonport dockyard, that every step is taken to provide the men concerned with alternative work?
§ Mr. G. HALLThe whole question of future work in all the Royal dockyards is being carefully considered by the Government.
§ 25. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of discharges that have taken place in Devonport dockyard since the 31st May last; and whether further reductions are contemplated in the near future?
§ Mr. HALLThe number of workmen who have been discharged from Devon-port dockyard since the 31st May is 30. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the First Lord gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Portsmouth (Captain W. Hall) on the 4th July (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 248).
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, at the same time that these discharges have been taking place, a certain number of miners have been imported into Devonport; and will he, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, survey the whole unemployment situation, so that men are not discharged from Devonport at the same time as other people are imported into the town?
§ Mr. HALLThat, of course, depends upon the trade of the men transferred. It certainly will receive the attention of my right hon. Friend.