§ 3. Mr. Granville Sharpasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what recent action has been taken, and with what results, to review the establishments and organisation and methods of overseas depots, with a view to ensuring that these are conducted efficiently with the minimum use of manpower; and whether instructions have been issued that 2987 junior staff should be encouraged to make constructive suggestions for the better running of the depots in which they serve.
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Walter Edwards)As regards the first part of the Question, the numbers of industrial employees overseas are controlled by strict reference to the financial provision in the Estimates and the non-industrials by ordinary complementing methods. In addition, senior officers of Admiralty departments with large interests overseas from time to time carry out inspections at particular establishments as the desirability becomes apparent. Admiralty departments are alive to the importance of improving organisation and methods to the utmost practicable extent. As regards the second part of the Question, instructions have long been in existence stating that suggestions from the staff are always welcome and the Admiralty's Whitley Council structure includes arrangements to this end.
§ Mr. SharpWhile recognising that inspection may be carried out from time to time, can my hon. Friend say whether any recent inspections have been made, and were the Estimates based on figures provided by the officers commanding these overseas depots, or was any independent investigation made?
§ Mr. EdwardsInvestigations are continually taking place, and the Estimates are framed in accordance with the requirements of the various overseas stations.