HC Deb 05 November 1929 vol 231 cc803-4
1. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government have now come to any conclusion with regard to the possibility of alternative work being carried on in the national workshops and yards?

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

I have nothing to add to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Sir K. WOOD

Has the Lord Privy Seal consulted the Prime Minister on this matter? Does the right hon. Gentleman know that when the Prime Minister was a candidate for East Woolwich he was full of schemes of this kind?

Mr. R. RICHARDSON

Does my right hon. Friend know of any action which was taken by the late Government in this matter?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Department is going to be responsible for the alternative work, or whether it is to be left entirely to the Admiralty?

Mr. THOMAS

My Department is not responsible for the alternative work, but the Admiralty.