ADMIRAL MAYNE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would consider the case of the Works' Department in the Dockyards, in order to assimilate their hours to those of the Dockyard men, or give them more pay for the additional time they work?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe point referred to in the question was carefully considered by the Admiralty last year, and it was decided to be inexpedient that the hours of work of men employed under the Works' Department, and those engaged in dockyard work should necessarily be the same. This decision was arrived at after a full consideration of the case in all its bearings. A large proportion of these men are employed at places other than dockyards, and it is necessary, if a permanent staff for public works is to be maintained, that the men on it should be much on the same footing as contractors' men doing the same work.