HC Deb 05 February 1930 vol 234 cc1880-1
27. Commander SOUTHBY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of cruisers, destroyers and sloops now in full and reserve commission?

Mr. ALEXANDER

As the answer is in tabular form I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The answer is as follows:

similar decisions without reducing dockyard employment.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

As far as the right hon. Gentleman is concerned, in replying for his own Department, is he not aware that this is a matter of very great importance to those engaged in armament work, and what preparations in anticipation of the proposed reduction of armaments have been made by the Government to provide work for those men who will become unemployed?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I think that that question, in so far as it does not relate to the Royal Dockyards, ought to be addressed to the Minister in charge of employment, because I imagine that any savings effected in this direction will probably be fruitful of expenditure in other directions.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE rose

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot continue to debate this question.