§ MR. W. ALLANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the case that in the torpedo tube shop at 1474 Keyham overtime to the extent of making 10 to 11 days of total time per week per man has been worked for these last 16 months; and whether he will consider the desirability of enlarging the shop and plant so as to employ more men, especially those lately discharged from Government factories?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThe question of my hon. Friend has brought to the notice of the Admiralty the fact that overtime to the extent named has been permitted at Keyham since November, 1891, in order to complete the ships building under the Naval Defence Act. The amount of overtime has, however, lately been reduced, and additional plant is now being procured, so that more men may be employed and overtime further limited. The Admiralty do not approve of overtime being worked, except in cases of emergency; and the First Lord, to whoso attention the facts have been brought, will take steps to impress upon the dockyards the necessity of observing this rule.
§ MR. W. ALLANWould it not be more in accord with the spirit of labour if more men were employed instead of allowing these men to put in from 9 to 11 working days a week?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI quite agree with that sentiment, and thought I had given expression to that view in my answer.
§ MR. W. ALLANWill the overtime be stopped?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI hope so.
§ MR. J. BURNS (Battersea)Will the hon. Gentleman, pending the erection of the machinery, transfer some of the work from Keyham to Woolwich or Enfield, where there are artisans skilful enough to perform it?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI will take that suggestion into consideration.