Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware of the large number of men who have been discharged from Beachley shipyard; whether his Department is responsible for the discharges consequent upon the decision not to proceed with the housing scheme; and whether, in view of the fact that large numbers of men were induced to take up work in the shipyard and brought their families to live in the district, any steps can be taken to obviate the discharges and prevent the misery and suffering which will accrue as a result of unemployment?
Colonel WILSONI am aware that men have been discharged from Beachley lately and these discharges were necessitated mainly by the fact that it was decided not to proceed with further constructional work on the yard. No men have been employed ou shipbuilding at Beachley, the only labour there being on constructional work and on housing at Pennsylvania. No men employed in shipbuilding have been discharged but it was not considered that under the present circumstances any further expenditure on houses in view of the decision mentioned above was justified.