§ Sir JOHN BENNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that no replies have yet been received to the 1908 petitions of the dockyard workmen; and whether he can now state the date when answers will be given?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe general statement of replies to the petitions presented by the workmen in His Majesty's dockyards in 1908 will be issued in the course of a few days.
§ Mr. OWEN PHILIPPSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now give the answers to last year's petitions from workmen in His Majesty's dockyards; and whether in future he will arrange to always give the answers to petitions in the same financial year that the petitions are presented?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe general statement of replies to the petitions presented by the workmen in His Majesty's dockyards in 1908 will be issued in the course of a few days. It is not considered practicable to give any general assurance as to the time which may be required for dealing with the petitions in future years, but the desirability of issuing the replies as soon as possible after the petitions are received is fully recognised.
§ Sir JOHN BENNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the foundry at Keyham, Devonport, some 60 journeymen out of 90 have been discharged during the last five years, many of them being long-service men; and whether to minimise this grievance he will direct that more work shall be given to the dockyard foundry instead of increasing the use of outside castings?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe working staff of moulders at Devonport, although considerably reduced, consists at present of 39 men—not 30, as would appear to be implied in the question. All possible suitable measures are already taken to utilise the dockyard foundry for castings.