§ MR. MACDONALD (Tower Hamlets, Bow)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the hours of a water-guard officer are 24 on and 24 off; 1030 whether for this he receives 3s. 6d. a day; and whether it is ever possible, under any circumstances, for a water-guard officer to he on duty for a stretch of 40 hours?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTIn large ports water - guard officers have 24 hours attendance, with times for meals and repose, then 24 hours complete absence, then a short day of eight hours out of 24 hours; and in small ports 24 hours attendance, with meals and repose, then 24 hours absence. Established officers employed on water - guard duty receive salaries ranging from £55 to £100; but no doubt in speaking of 3s. 6d. a day my hon. Friend refers to extra men employed on water-guard duty in the Port of London. The cases referred to in paragraph 3.are very rare; but when they do occur compensatory leave is given on the first opportunity, and they occur from extreme pressure on a glut of arrivals after fog or bad weather. During employment on the duly in question the men are under shelter in the cabin of the vessel, and the; labour is not continuous, but admits of rest being taken.