§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a man employed on a tug in the Devonport Dockyard had recently to go into hospital for an operation owing to an injury received in the course of his employment; that at the time of the injury his pay amounted to £1 5s. 8d. per week, made up as follows: 15s. 2d. cash and 10s. 6d. food allowance; that on entering the hospital the cash payment was reduced by one-half and the food allowance taken away altogether, leaving only 7s. 7d. for the support of his family; whether these deductions are in accordance with the scheme of compensation (No. 116) in cases of injury to workmen in Government establishments; and, if not, will he make inquiries into the case with a view to reimbursement?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)It has been ascertained that in consequence of an error on the part of a member of the cashier's staff a yard craft man named Larson received half-pay only—7s. 7d. a week—whilst on the hurt list, instead of half-pay and half-victualling allowance—12s. 10d. a week. Had the case been brought to the notice of the cashier the error would have been rectified forthwith. The underpayment has now been adjusted.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not a fact that the error was discovered after I put the question on the Paper?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should think it extremely likely, but I confess I am a little surprised Larson did not immediately point out the error to the official.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEExactly.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information regarding any concessions to be made to workmen in the dockyards early in the new year; will he say what these concessions are to be, whether they include the abandonment of the restriction requiring workmen to reside within a three-mile radius of their work, and the re-consideration and re-adjustment of the scale of 1007 pensions now prevailing with regard to skilled and unskilled labour employed in the yards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, the hearing of petitions is not yet concluded. It is obvious, therefore, that it is not possible at this stage to make any announcement as to what the ultimate decisions of the Board may be.
§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will favourably consider the appointment, in accordance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 13, clause 60, of A. L., dated 13th April, 1907, A. 1806, of a hired writer to carry out the clerical duties in the captain of dockyard's department, at Haulbowline?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe appointment indicated is not considered necessary.