§ MR. HUDSONTo ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now say what wages are paid by the firm of Messrs. Clark, Chapman, and Company to the engine fitters engaged on H.M.S, "Defence" at Pembroke Dock; and whether the Fair Wage Clause is being observed.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) A report has been received from the firm to the following effect:—There are three journeymen engine fitters engaged by the firm on board H.M.S "Defence" at Pembroke. Two of them receive 36s. per week plus 17s. 6d. allowance, and the others 41s. per week plus 17s. 6d. allowance. There are, besides, three young men who have not yet completed their full apprenticeship. Two of these have 24s. plus allowance, and the other, 30s. plus allowance. These young men are usually styled "improvers," the ordinary 823 standard rate for which class averages from 18s. to 21s. per week. The usual allowance for battleships is 17s. 6d. for journeymen, and 14s. for apprentices. The Admiralty have no reason to suppose that the Fair Wages Clause is not being observed.