HC Deb 05 May 1908 vol 188 cc39-40
MR. BOWERMAN (Deptford)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the skilled labourers employed at the Deptford Victualling Yard and the West India Dock Naval Stores are to be permitted to participate in the increase of wages granted in April, 1907, to skilled labourers in all the royal dockyards.

MR. McKENNA

The question of increasing the pay of the skilled labourers at West India Docks and Deptford is under consideration, and it is anticipated that a decision will be promulgated shortly.

MR. BOWERMAN

This is the second time this Answer has been postponed.

MR. BOWERMAN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that coopers employed in the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard, Deptford, receive 6s. per day, where the wages paid for similar work in private cooperages is 8s. per day; and whether the Admiralty are prepared to give effect to the terms of the Resolution moved in the House last year, and accepted by the (government, to pay trade union rates of wages by raising the wages of the coopers employed in the Deptford Victualling Yard to 8s. per day.

MR. McKENNA

The day pay rate for coopers at Deptford is 33s. a week, but at piece work rates they can earn up to 39s. a week. With the exception of one hired cooper and six ex-apprentices (who are in excess of the normal staff and retained temporarily to suit their own convenience), the coopers habitually earn this higher rate. They have continuous employment, and are entitled to pensions under the ordinary Civil Service Regulations. The Admiralty are informed that in private employment the current rates are as follows:—Day pay, 40s. to 45s. a week, piece work, 45s. to 50s.; but there is not the same prospect of continuous employment, and the actual rate of employment is stated to he only "fair." The Admiralty in accepting the terms of the Resolution referred to, did so subject to the express condition that the special advantages attaching to dockyard employment must be taken into account in any comparison of wages, and on the facts at present before us, the Admiralty consider that they are strictly conforming to the terms of the Resolution.

MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the officials of the unions as to the disproportion?

MR. McKENNA

I will inquire what can be done.

MR. JENKINS (Chatham)

Is there any guarantee of continuous employment in the coopering department?

MR. McKENNA

I can only say that the coopers have been in continuous employment.