§ Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the net additions to the man-power of the private shipyards for mercantile shipbuilding for the months of October, November, December, January, and the first two weeks of February?
§ Mr. MACNAMARADetailed labour returns have been obtained in the past from all private shipyards and marine engineering works once every two months. The net increases shown by these returns since the 30th September, 1917, are as under:
During two months, October and November, 5,998.
During two months, December and January, 3,000 (approx.).
The returns for December and January are not yet quite complete. As was stated in my reply to a question asked by my right hon. Friend on the 23rd January, firms have been asked to render weekly demands of the classes of labour they require, with a statement showing how the demands of the previous week have been met. The returns for the first and second weeks in February show net increases of 1,070 and 1,295, respectively.