asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many non ex-Service men are employed by the Admiralty in Northern Ireland; and whether any ex-Service men have been discharged for redundancy during the last year in Northern Ireland.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 983 industrials and 209 non-industrials; to the second part, 54 industrials and 2 non-industrials.

Is the Civil Lord surprised that ex-Service men in Northern Ireland are most indignant at this state of affairs?

I cannot see any reason why they should be indignant. So far as ex-Service men are concerned, over 50 per cent. on the industrial side are ex-Service men, and over 65 per cent. on the non-industrial side.

Is it not the case that, if only ex-Service men were employed in the Admiralty yards at Belfast, the majority would be Eire citizens?