asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what were the number of hired and established men, respectively, employed in the Royal Dockyards in 1913; and what were the corresponding figures at the latest available date?

As the answer involves a table of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the increased employment in the dockyards in the last few years and the prospect of steady employment for some time to come, does not my hon. Friend think it should now be possible to admit a larger proportion of dockyard men to pensionable establishment?

That is a question that is always under review with the trade unions concerned.

Following is the information:

The approximate numbers of hired and established workpeople borne under Vote 8 in the Royal Dockyards at home in 1913 and at the present time are as follow:

If dockyards abroad are included, the figures are: