HC Deb 04 November 1929 vol 231 cc619-20W
Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of representatives of dockyard members of the Transport and General Workers' Union urging the Government to make provision in its disarmament policy for compensation to be paid to those workers whose employment may have been worsened or terminated; and whether the Government proposes to take any steps in this direction?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The answer is in the negative.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make on the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the utilisation of the Royal Dockyards for purposes other than the building and repairing of ships; whether he will use every effort to have tanks and other mechanical construction for the War Office undertaken in the dockyards with a view to these establishments becoming the recognised factories for the use of other Government Departments; and if he will make inquiries whether furniture for ships and other Government Departments can be made in the Royal Dockyards?

Mr. ALEXANDER

At present the Royal Dockyards are fully occupied with naval work. The hon. Member can rest assured that the Admiralty are keeping, and will continue to keep, the interest of the Royal Dockyards very much in mind, and that should necessity arise every practicable avenue to acquire any additional work for them will be considered. As long a view as possible is being taken of dockyard employment.

Sir R. GOWER

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what suggestions have been made by representatives of dockyard labour for finding alternative work for His Majesty's Royal Dockyards; and which of such suggestions have been adopted and rejected, respectively, by the Government?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The question of providing alternative work has been raised by the trade union side of the Admiralty Joint Industrial Council, but no definitive proposals have yet been received.