HC Deb 27 February 1911 vol 22 cc16-7
Mr. WHELER

asked whether he would consider the advisability of introducing a more graduated scale of amounts stopped on establishment from wages of workmen in His Majesty's dockyards, to obviate the disabilities under which some grades of workmen suffer whose wages are very slightly in excess of the fixed amounts under the present scale at which increases of amount of wage stopped come into operation?

Mr. McKENNA

The question raised is the subject of petitions which have been received from the workmen themselves, and which are at present under consideration.

Mr. WHELER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the scale would not work more equitable if the increases were by 3d. and not by 6d.?

Mr. McKENNA

I do not know, but I will bear in mind the suggestion put forward by the hon. Member.

Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKE

asked whether he is aware that the maximum rate of wages paid to sail-makers in the Royal Dockyards is 30s. 6d. and the maximum paid to skilled labourers is 30s.; whether sail-makers pass a competitive examination and serve an apprenticeship, whereas skilled labourers pass no competitive examination and serve no apprenticeship; whether he is aware that the examination required of sail-makers is to a very great extent similar to that required of other mechanics whose wages exceed those of sail-makers from 4s. to 14s. 6d. per week; and whether he will consider the advisability of readjusting the wages paid to sail-makers so as to raise them higher than 6d. a week over the wages paid to skilled labourers and to make them compare more favourably with the wages paid to other mechanics?

Mr. McKENNA

The rate of wages of sail-makers is the subject of one of the petitions received from the workmen which are now under consideration.