§ MR. JENKINS (Chatham)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of skilled labourers at Chatham Dockyard have been reduced to the rank of ordinary labourers, with a reduction in wages from 3s. to 4s. per week; and, seeing that he has accepted the principle of trade union conditions being made applicable to all royal dockyards, whether he will take immediate steps to raise the minimum wages to those current in private shipbuilding yards where similar work is being executed.
§ THE SECRETAEY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON, Dundee)In accordance with the universal practice of the Royal Dockyards and in order to save the men from being discharged, some seventy skilled labourers at Chatham have been temporarily employed on ordinary labour, and have been paid as ordinary labourers. It is hoped that the reduction of pay will be of short duration. The men will be placed on their former rates of pay as soon as skilled work becomes available.
§ MR. JENKINSWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the latter part of the Question? Are we to understand that the Admiralty are going to recognise trades union rates in the dockyards according to the hon..Member's promise in March last?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI must refer the hon. Member to the words of my promise, † and he will see that my Answer is not inconsistent.
† See (4) Debates, cliii, 505, 509.
§ MR. JENKINSMay I ask whether the minimum rates for labourers in the dockyards do not amount to 24s. a week?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI should like to have notice of that Question.
§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)I should like to ask whether reduction in the position of a number of skilled labourers has necessitated a reduction in the number of ordinary labourers in the dockyard?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNot so far as I know. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat the Question.