HC Deb 01 May 1888 vol 325 cc1024-5
MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the number of men engaged on fire duty at the Devonport Dockyard is 24, although only 10 men are on duty at one and the same time; whether these men are on the same footing as regards accommodation, hours of duty, and pay, as the men employed on the same duty in other Dockyards; and, if not, why not; whether, although the sum of £170 was some time since granted for the purpose of improved sleeping accommodation for the men, no alteration has been made for several years past; whether the order for reducing the men's pay stated that the reduced pay was to commence "when the additional accommodation is complete;" whether their pay was, in fact, reduced by order of the Admiral Superintendent, from the date of the Order in February last; whether, under these circumstances, the men are entitled to their former rate of pay until the additional accommodation is ready for them; whether he is aware that the extra weekly duty, for which the men are now paid only 7s., amounts to 120 hours per week (57 by day and 63 by night), during which time they are confined within the gates, with no place except one sleeping room to cook and eat their meals in, with no opportunity of attending a place of worship or enjoying any recreation, and that they can only communicate during that time with their wives and families in the presence of the policeman on duty at the gates; and, whether, under all the above circumstances, he will consider the possibility of granting an increase of pay to these men?

THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)

I do not propose answering in detail the eight Questions now put, as I answered nine similar Questions last week. I will confine myself to saying that the circumstances of the case have been thoroughly gone into; and that I am satisfied that the pay given is fair and equitable, and that all consideration is paid to the convenience of the men.

MR. CONYBEARE

I beg to state that I am not at all satisfied with the answer of the noble Lord. I shall take the liberty of repeating the Question; and if I do not get an answer to-day I shall repeat it every day till I do.

[No reply]

MR. CONYBEARE

gave Notice that he would repeat the Question on the following day and every day till he could get an answer.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!