Mr. T. WILSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that men of the Royal Marine Engineers are engaged upon the construction of a railway in Hampshire; that men who have applied at the Gosport Employment Exchange to be put on the work have been informed that no more civilian labour is to be engaged; and whether he can give an assurance that the men in the Royal Marine Engineers are not being employed on work on which civilian labour ought to be employed, and for which civilian labour is available?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAbout ninety Royal Marine engineer pioneers are at present assisting civilian labour in constructing a railway in Hampshire, owing to the deficiency in supply of the latter. I am not aware that labourers, applying at the Gosport Employment Exchange, are informed that no more civilian labour is required on Admiralty works. On the contrary, priority demands for labourers still stand at all Employment Exchanges, but the number of men so obtained up to the present is little more than sufficient to replace ordinary wastage. In the circumstances, I can assure my hon. Friend that Royal Marine engineers have not been, and are not now employed on work, for which civilian labour is available.