§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty at what times the welfare meetings for the selection of 2939W representatives to the 1926 Welfare Conference took place at Devonport, Chatham, and Portsmouth, respectively; and if the time for the meeting at Portsmouth was arranged for an hour when men would be on leave, seeing that only 13 seamen out of 4,915 and one stoker out of 1,826 were available to attend?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANWith regard to the first part of the question, the meetings were held for the Chatham and Devon-port Port Divisions on various days, and at times varying from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. At Portsmouth the meetings were held on Monday, 29th March, at 5 p.m. As regards the second part of the question, every opportunity was given at Portsmouth for the men to attend the meetings, and the numbers of seamen and stokers who were available to attend, had they so desired, were 4,915 and 1,826, respectively, and not 13 and one respectively, as suggested in the question.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when voting takes place for the election of delegates to the welfare conference, he can so arrange matters in all the three ports, Devonport, Chatham and Portsmouth, that voters should be allowed to poll during certain fixed hours of the day, and particularly during service working hours, in order that there may be as effective a representation as possible?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe arrangements for the elections are made by the Commanders-in-chief at the home ports, and the Admiralty are satisfied that reasonable opportunities are given for the men to take part in the elections if they so wish. It is not proposed to make any change.