Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the joiners employed by the Admiralty at the Rosyth Dockyard are not receiving the proper rate of pay for the overtime they are working; and that the superintendent, when written to upon the matter, simply acknowledged the receipt of the letters; and whether he will give instructions to this officer that the conditions that obtain in good firms must apply to workmen employed by the Admiralty?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)The joiners employed at Rosyth are being paid at present for overtime in accordance with the dockyard regulations. My attention has now been drawn to the correspondence referred to, and the matter is receiving immediate consideration.
§ Mr. McKENNAThe conditions of pay in a dockyard differ from the conditions of pay in private firms, and the conditions of overtime pay also differ. You must take the two together in order to ascertain what the total amount of pay is. I am having the matter immediately inquired into.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having a schedule of wages attached to all contracts so that the men will know what they are to receive and what the contractor has to pay?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon. Member has asked me to go beyond the Resolution which the House has agreed to. I do not think I should be justified in going beyond what the House has ordered.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDHas the Director of Works got this matter in hand for adjudication the same as in the case of navvies at Rosyth?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is, of course, a question which comes before the Works Department, and it will be reported from the Works Department to me. The subject shall receive immediate attention.