HC Deb 06 August 1918 vol 109 cc1130-1W
Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if large rigid airships are urgently required for His Majesty's Navy; if so, if any reason can be given why the firm that has carried out all the pioneer work in rigid airship construction and built the first successful rigid airship should now be in a position necessitating a large reduction in the number of their skilled workers whilst other firms who had not the same experience were fully employed; whether he is aware that resentment is felt by the trade unionists of this firm who, at considerable sacrifice, have given every possible assistance in teaching the work to female labour and now find that a large proportion of girls will shortly be without employment or put on other work where their special training will not be utilised; and if any reason can be given for the stoppage of construction of a new airship building shed for this firm on which a large sum of money has been expended?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The firm to which I understand my hon. Friend to refer is at present building a rigid airship, but the constructional shed which they have at the present time, though big enough for the ships they are building, is not sufficiently large for future requirements. Moreover, building sheds already in existence elsewhere are sufficient to meet present requirements. As regards the third part of the question, there is sufficient need for labour in the district to keep everyone in full employment. As regards the last part of the question, which refers to another shed altogether, the stoppage of construction referred to was due to the fact that the labour and material which would otherwise have been absorbed were needed for other and more important undertakings.