§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the shearing and punching machine in a reserve shop in Portsmouth Dockyard known as Boiler Shop West broke down in November last; whether at the present time the work of shearing and punching plates has to be done by hand, or plates taken to a machine which is fifteen minutes' walk from the Boiler Shop West; whether the men employed in this boiler shop have to carry out repairs to torpedo-boat destroyers, torpedo boats, and other small craft; and whether, looking to the waste of time caused through not being able to shear and punch plates in the Boiler Shop West, he can see his way to remedying this state of affairs?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The machine referred to has been repaired and is now running on light work; no heavy work is done in this shop, and work for torpedo-boat destroyers and other light craft which is beyond the resources of Boiler Shop West is sent direct to the main boiler shop. The men employed in this shop are engaged on repairs to torpedo boat destroyers and other small craft. It is not considered that any serious waste of time has occurred through the breakdown of this machine, having regard to the arrangements made to send certain work to the main boiler shop, but at times this has caused inconvenience.