asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many persons, European and native, respectively, are now employed on the constructional and other work on the new naval base and dockyard at Singapore?

The number of persons employed by the Admiralty and the contractors is 116 European and 1,499 Asiatic.

When the hon. and gallant Gentleman speaks of the number of persons employed, does that include the number of persons employed on constructional work, and does it include the number employed by the contractors?

I have tried to give the hon. and gallant Gentleman as much information as I could; therefore, I gave him the number of people who were employed in one capacity or another.

Does the number include all those employed on the work at Singapore or only those employed direct by the Admiralty?

It includes all employed at Singapore either in industrial work or clerical work, or any work.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many Americans are employed in the dock?

I cannot give that information unless I have further notice.

Has any complaint been received from Singapore about Europeans not being employed?

That does not arise out of the question.