§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, with the exception of the abolition of classification, the ship riggers in Devonport Dockyard have only received a rise in their pay of 2s. 6d. during a period of thirty-five years; that the pay of ship riggers employed in the yard is much below that of riggers employed in private yards; and whether, seeing the hazardous nature of their work, he can see his way to raise the weekly pay of the established rigger to 30s. per week and that of the hired rigger to 31s. 6d. per week?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am aware of the circumstances relating to the pay of ship riggers in His Majesty's dockyards, but they do not quite bear out the statement in the question. An increase of 1s. a week was granted last year, and petitions from the workmen for a further advance have recently been under consideration, to which a reply will shortly be sent. It is not considered desirable to anticipate the reply to the petitions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman in what respect the facts, as stated in the question, differ from the explanation which the right hon. Gentleman has received?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Gentleman will wait, further information will be given in the reply to the petitions.