§ Sir R. GOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many employés, casual or otherwise, have been discharged from Chatham Dockyard during the past three months; and whether any dis- 482W charges and, if so, how many are contemplated in the immediate or near future?
Mr. ALEXANDERApart from natural wastage, 286 industrial employés were discharged from Chatham Dockyard during the 13 weeks ended 18th October, 1930; of this number 243 were casually employed. During the same period a total of 298 entries were made of which 188 were for casual work. Such fluctuations are normal and inevitable.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the large number of persons ordinarily engaged in ship-building and ship-repairing work who are now out of employment in the Chatham and Gillingham area, Kent, he will consider the desirability of placing further orders for work at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Chatham?
Mr. ALEXANDERI would remind the hon. Member that a considerable share of the 1929 and 1930 new construction programmes was allotted to Chatham Dockyard, and there is sufficient work there to keep the present number of employés economically employed.