§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that some men are now employed at the West India. Dock Naval Stores packing at a weekly wage of 21s., under the supervision of others who receive only 20s.; and whether, seeing that this arrangement gives rise to dissatisfaction, he will take steps to raise the wages of the latter.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.I imagine the hon. and gallant Member refers to two classes of men known respectively as storehouse-labourers and packers. The storehouse labourers receive from 20s. to 22s. 6d., and the packers 20s. per week; but 25 per cent. of the packers, namely, those who are employed in packing fragile or valuable articles, receive 21s. Both the storehouse labourers and the packers are under the direct supervision of a store-houseman, whose pay varies from 24s. to 36s. a week. There appears, therefore, to be no cause for dissatisfaction on the grounds suggested.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONDoes the hon. Gentleman say there are not two classes of men doing precisely the same work but getting different rates of pay?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir; those who get the higher rate of pay do supervising duty.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONBut my point is that there are two classes of men doing exactly the same work—one class receiving 20s. and the other 21s.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ CAPTAIN NORTONI will put down another question.