§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of men, casual and otherwise, discharged from Devonport Dockyard during the months of December, 1930, and January and February, 1931, respectively; what were the reasons for their discharge; and whether any further discharges are contemplated?
Mr. ALEXANDERApart from natural wastage, the numbers of industrial employés discharged during1198W each of the months in question, with the reasons for their discharge, are as follow:
Month. Hired workpeople discharged on reduction, i.e., redundant. Casual workpeople discharged on completion of casual employment. December, 1930 7 226 January, 1931 3 — February, 1931 1 16 During the corresponding period a total of 775 entries were made of which 721 were for casual work. In regard to the last part of the question, no further discharges are contemplated at present, apart from the majority of casual employés entered for specific purposes, and any slight adjustments between trades that may be necessary to meet the varying conditions of the work in hand.