MR. T. F. RICHARDSTo ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the contractors, Messrs. Morrison and Mason, are paying 5d. per hour for labourers, whilst 6d. per hour is the rate recognised in the borough of Portsmouth for labourers, employed in and about building operations whether he has consulted the representatives of labour in the borough, and, if not, will he now consult them; whether these men having served in the Army is any reason why they should be paid less wages than others, and why they should be compelled to work five hours per week longer whether, when the Admiralty considered this matter, they were 2360 aware that only non-union labour was being employed and preference given to non-unionists over trade unionists; and what action does he intend to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am aware that Messrs. Morrison and Mason are paying some of their labourers at the rate of 5d. per hour, but the work done by them is not the same class of work as that for which the rate of 6d. per hour is recognised in the borough. I have not consulted the representatives of labour in the borough, and I do not understand that any of the facts on which the representatives of labour could assist me are in dispute. The fact that ex-soldiers may be employed is not a reason why they should be paid lower wages than others engaged on the same class of work, and no distinction as regards ex-soldiers is made, either as to pay or as to the number of hours worked per week. I am not aware that only non-union labour is being employed or that preference is given to non-unionists over trade unionists, and the matter is not one which comes under the control of the Admiralty.