§ Mr. Footasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what system of special wartime allowances now operates in Devon-port dockyard; and whether, especially in view of the loss of income caused by the ending of overtime, he will review this machinery with the purpose of making improvements which will assist those who have been bombed out from their houses in Devonport and Plymouth and must therefore spend a disproportionate part of their income in travelling expenses.
Mr. AlexanderSpecial war-time allowances of many kinds have been authorised in the Royal Dockyards to meet special conditions, e.g. the assumption of extra responsibility, and they remain in operation while those conditions still obtain. No such allowance has, however, been authorised in respect of travelling expenses incurred by employees bombed out of their houses in Devonport or elsewhere, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the hardship and inconvenience suffered by these men are matters of constant concern, and we have taken, and are taking, all practical steps to alleviate them, by obtaining improved transport, by supporting and furthering emergency housing plans, and by unremitting attention to the general welfare of the workers.