HC Deb 26 March 1889 vol 334 cc847-8
MR. CONYBEARE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it was the fact that on Saturday, the 23rd instant, some 487 men were discharged from Devonport Dockyard and Keyham Factory; whether it is the fact that on Saturday next another 200 men will be warned; how many more men in the various Departments was it intended to discharge; why men who have served in the Dockyards for periods of four and six years were discharged without receiving any gratuity; whether it was the usual practice to treat on the same terms as to their discharge men who have been working for years in the yards and men who have been only temporarily engaged; why the men were kept waiting for six months after discharge before getting their bonus or gratuity; and why long service men were being discharged while others are retained who have been a far shorter time engaged?

LORD G. HAMILTON

A certain number of men were taken on for casual work in Devonport Dockyard, the terms of their engagement being that when the job on which they were engaged was finished their services would be no longer required. The work has been finished, and their employment lapses. An attempt has been made to organize an agitation against the Government for the so called discharges; but the men have honourably declined to ignore the terms of their engagement.

MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)

Will the noble Lord consider the desirability of introducing a system of casual employment into the dockyards?

LORD G. HAMILTON

It has been introduced for some time.

MR. CONYBEARE

Is the noble Lord aware that of 83 men who left the Keyham Factory on Saturday there were 14 whose term of service ranged from three years to 14 years and nine months. I should like to know how it is that the long service men have been discharged just as freely as the casuals?

LORD G. HAMILTON

The right hon. Member has been misinformed. Every man who has served 12 years is entitled to a gratuity, and in this case would receive his gratuity. After having received it he would be available for casual employment, and, of course, the terms upon which he engaged in casual work would be the same as that of other men.

MR. CONYBEARE

Am I to understand that the long service men are liable to be turned off by the Government at any time and taken on again as casual labourers?

LORD G. HAMILTON

If the hon. Gentleman has not understood the answer I gave to him I do not think I can add to it. A man is entitled after a certain number of years' service to a gratuity, and after he has received that gratuity he is available for casual work.

MR. CONYBEARE

I beg to give notice that on an early day I will call attention to the subject.