§ 30. Mr. Ralph Beaumontasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is a widespread desire in the royal dockyards for the annual holiday to be staggered instead of being allotted at one particular time of the year as at present; and if he will consider whether some degree of spread-over could be effected?
Mr. CooperNo representations have been made to the Admiralty in the sense suggested by the first part of the question. In reply to the second part, while the experience of the past eight years has shown that important advantages to the Service lie in the simultaneous closing of the dockyards for six consecutive days, with which Navy Week coincides, the board are always ready to examine any proposals which aim at meeting the special convenience of the employ és without detriment to Service requirements.