§ MR. MACDONALDOn behalf of the hon. Member for South West Ham, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to an advertisement in The Kentish Mercury of 17th August for a competent shoemaker to assist in examining the boots and shoes sent to the stores at the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard, Deptford, at a weekly wage of 23s.; whether the wage of a journeyman shoemaker in London is over 30s. per week; whether the two examiners already employed are paid 30s. weekly; and whether he will instruct the superintendent to pay the Trades Union rate of wages to the person who receives the new appointment?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have seen the advertisement in question, which called for the services of a person competent to assist the shoemaker. The wages of the shoemakers at Deptford are 22s. 6d. to 30s. a week. The man to be entered will be a labourer, who will receive labourer's pay of 20s. a week, and when assisting the shoemaker in opening up boots for examination will receive an additional 6d. a day.
§ MR. MACDONALDI beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the notice posted at the Deptford Victualling Yard stopping all leave of absence which does not carry a corresponding loss of pay includes the one 368 hour per quarter hitherto granted to the workmen; and whether it applies to the officials as well as the skilled workmen, and labourers?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe notice posted at the Deptford Victualling Yard is the same as that posted at all the yards—namely, that absence of workmen from the Yard, either with or without leave, is to be considered as time lost. This notice is incidental to the modifications consequent on the introduction of the 48 hours' week, which does not apply to the officials of the Yard.