§ Captain PLUGGEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent decision to submit to the Admiralty industrial council the question of increasing the present establishment ratio in His Majesty's naval establishments, he can state what is the approximate proportion of established men, respectively, who are represented through their various organisations on this particular council; and whether any special steps will be taken to fill the gap in representation which has been caused by the recent withdrawal from the council of one of its principal constituent organisations?
Mr. LINDSAYThe proportion of established workmen in naval establishments who belong to the trade unions represented on the Admiralty Industrial council cannot be stated. I have never heard that there is any divergence of interest between those who belong, whether established or not, to trade unions and those who are not members of trade unions. No organisation has recently withdrawn from the Admiralty Industrial Council.