HC Deb 10 February 1908 vol 183 cc1397-8
MR. JOHN WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give the number of men who have worked overtime in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, during the month of January this year; and the average number of hours overtime to each man.

MR. JENKINS (Chatham)

I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many men employed in the Devon-port dockyard are working overtime, and the extent to which overtime is being worked.

MR. LAMBERT

The number of men working overtime at Devenport during the month of January was 2,604, the average number of hours worked being approximately one and three-quarters per day per man. On the 6th February the numbers were 1,007, working an average of four hours per day. These figures include men who are permanently employed on overtime for raising steam and similar purposes. The greater portion of this overtime will cease within the next ten days.

MR. JOHN WARD

Has any attempt been made to regulate the conditions of dockyard employment so as to prevent excess at one time and shortness of employment at another?

MR. LAMBERT

This case arose from exceptional circumstances, and apart from permanent overtime, will cease, I hope, in the course of ten days.