Mr. T. F. RICHARDSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the building of three torpedo-boat destroyers by Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Company, Birkenhead, there are employed 20 apprentices to 20 platers and 24 apprentices to 24 rivetters; whether this propor- 1518 tion of boy labour is used with the consent of the Admiralty; and whether, in view of the unemployment at present prevailing and also on the point of efficiency, he will take steps to have a larger proportion of adult labour employed, or what action does he intend to take in the matter?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am now informed by the firm that the numbers, taking an average over five weeks, are, for platers, 34 apprentices to 100 men; rivetters, 39 apprentices to 51 men. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that Admiralty contracts make no stipulation as to any relative proportion between apprentices and fully trained workmen.
Mr. T. F. RICHARDSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that they are exceeding their proper allowance by using 39 boys to 51 men, whereas the custom of the industry is that one boy to three men is allowable?
§ Mr. McKENNAI observe that as regards platers that would appear to be the proportion which the firm are employing. With regard to rivetters, I will inquire further into the matter, although the Admiralty can take no responsibility for the number of apprentices employed by any individual firm.
Mr. T. F. RICHARDSI am only concerned that the Admiralty shall get full value for money. When they pay for man labour they should get it instead of boy labour.