§ MR. COURTHOPE (Sussex, Rye)To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the rates of pay of the various grades of writers in the Army Ordnance Deparment; whether these rates of pay are to be increased, and to what extent; whether, and to what extent, they vary in out-stations, and for what reason; whether the writers are allowed to present petitions in cases of grievance; and what are the conditions as to sick pay and sick leave applying to this branch of the service.
(Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) The rates of pay of writers in the Army Ordnance Department at home stations are as follows:—Woolwich Arsenal and Pimlico (R.A.C.D.): Foreman writers, 54s., by 2s. annually to 63s. a week; First class writers, 39s., by 2s. annually to 51s. a week; Second class writers, 24s., by 2s. annually to 36s. a week. No second-class writer to rise above 30s. a week until he is specially certified to be actually employed on work superior to that of copyist, and qualified by his ability and application for further increase. Other stations: Foreman writer, 33s., after three years' service 36s. a week; writers, 22s., after three years, 24s., thence by 3s. triennially to 30s. In London the minimum is 24s. as at Woolwich. At Edinburgh the minimum is 24s., but writers there remain six years at 24s. before being given an increment to 27s. The above are the only variations at out stations. The higher scale for Woolwich Arsenal and Pimlico is due to the more varied and responsible nature of the work. No increases of these rates are contemplated. The writers are allowed to present petitions through the 1052 proper local authority. The conditions as to sick pay and sick leave at all Home stations are as follows:—Those who joined before 1st April, 1900 (at Pimlico 1st August, 1900): Full pay for two months and, if recommended, extension up to three months at two-thirds pay if over twenty years' service, or at half pay if under twenty years' service. Those who joined after 31st March, 1900 (at Pimlico 31st July, 1900): Half-pay for three months, and, if recommended, extension up to two months at same rate.