§ 14. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether piece and job work is to be discontinued in the Royal dockyards; and whether short time is to be introduced to avoid discharges in the Royal dockyards?
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. George Hall)It is not at present proposed to make the changes mentioned in the hon. Member's question. The position as regards work in the Royal Dockyards is satisfactory under existing conditions, and is expected to remain so for the winter.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADo I understand that the Admiralty is entirely satisfied to have over 2,000 unemployed men in the Devonport Employment Exchange?
§ Mr. HALLThe Admiralty is satisfied that we have no more unemployed at the present time than when the last Government was in office.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that we have more unemployed in Devonport since the present Government took office?
§ 15. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to mitigate unemployment in dockyard towns and as an inducement to those established men who so desire to take advantage of the opportunity to retire on pension before they reach pensionable age, he will consider granting some concession whereby established men could be credited with additional years, as used to be the practice under the Superannuation Act previous to 1907 on abolition of office?
Mr. ALEXANDERDuring recent months the Admiralty has allowed established men, in trades in which there has 1024 been a surplus in the dockyards, to take their discharge with pension and lump sum according to service under the Superannuation Acts. No additional inducement can be offered.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that that is not an answer to my question as to whether he can make this concession?
Mr. ALEXANDERI think the last phrase of my answer covers that point; that no extra inducement can be offered.
§ 22. Mr. MOSESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of smiths and painters are under notice of discharge at Devonport from the works department of His Majesty's dockyard; and will he give reasons why such notices are necessary or order their cancellation?
§ Mr. G. HALLThree smiths have been given notice of discharge because their services are not required; a number of redundant painters have been transferred to another department and their discharge has thus been avoided. I would remind my hon. Friend that the numbers of workmen employed must fluctuate to some extent to meet varying requirements.