HC Deb 16 July 1930 vol 241 cc1273-4
47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in providing alternative work for men displaced, or likely to be displaced, by reductions in armaments?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 5th February in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), and to the reply given by the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 21st May in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville).

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Does my right hon. Friend realise that these answers were very inadequate as regards finding alternative work, and can we hope for a more fruitful scheme in the future?

The PRIME MINISTER

Quite the contrary; these answers dealt with the whole question as a continuing policy which has been very successful up to now.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the dangers of discharges in dockyards and at Woolwich are still very serious?

The PRIME MINISTER

There may be dangers, but there have been no actualities.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Will not the dangers to the dockyards be even greater if the policy of my hon. and gallant Friend is carried out?

Forward to