§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that at present in Belfast the whole boating of the Admiralty transports and colliers is in the hands of one man, who is making a fortune out of the War, while other responsible men are allowed to stand idle and yet have to pay taxes towards the cost of the War; and whether he will give directions to the senior naval officer and naval transport officer in Belfast to have this work divided as in the case of the local shipbuilding firms?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is found necessary for efficiency and economy to employ a single firm of boatmen to carry out the comparatively small amount of work involved. The statement that the firm is making a fortune out of the War is an exaggeration. Their charges are reasonable and their expenses are considerable. My hon. Friend will be interested to know that the local shipowners and brokers employ their own particular boatmen, and do not divide up their work.