§ 22. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the idea of obtaining alternative work, outside what has hitherto been the scope, has now been abandoned in respect of His Majesty's dockyards?
Mr. ALEXANDERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on the 4th November last (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 619).
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether this idea has been abandoned, and if it is contemplated giving any work in connection with shipbuilding and ship repairing to the dockyards?
Mr. ALEXANDERIt has certainly not been abandoned. It is a matter which is always under discussion by representatives of labour and the Admiralty, and I have frequently pointed out that there has been no need at present, in order to maintain the stable condition of the dockyards, to undertake much work of that kind, and, as has been seen this afternoon, there is anxiety with regard to other dockyards.