HC Deb 22 November 1911 vol 31 cc1174-6
Mr. PONSONBY

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the wages paid to joiners at present engaged in work at the naval base at Rosyth are 8d. per hour for a ten-hours day, whereas in Dunfermline the number of hours worked per day is nine; and whether, as the conditions obtaining in Dunfermline were recognised as the conditions under which the contract would be carried out, he will make inquiries with a view to seeing that fair treatment is given to the workmen in question?

The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Lambert)

Carpenters and joiners employed on the Rosyth contract are paid at the rate of 8d. per hour, which is the Dunfermline rate. The same hours are worked by all the men on this contract. It would be impracticable, where a large number of men is employed, for different classes of workmen to work different hours.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of Admiralty, whether, seeing that the arrangement made for taking on labour at the dockyards does not in any way limit the discretion of the yard officials in asking for men whose services they are anxious to secure, he will explain in what way the Exchanges assist the yard officials; whether he can give the number of men taken on at the respective yards since the new arrangements came into force; what proportion of these entries were men previously dismissed on reduction; and how many were asked for by the yard officials?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

With regard to the first part of the question, I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies given to him by the President of the Board of Trade on 30th October and by myself on 26th and 31st October, and to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on 15th November. I may further explain that under the new arrangement dockyard officers are relieved of the duty of keeping records of candidates for entry. With regard to the second part of the question, the numbers are:—

Portsmouth … … 283
Chatham … … 211
Devonport … … 650
Sheerness … … 52
Pembroke Dock … … 2
These numbers include men entered for temporary service, but are exclusive of apprentices. The particulars asked for in the last two paragraphs of the question could not be furnished without the expenditure of considerable time and labour, and the withdrawal of officials from important duties.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

How long has this Order been in force?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I think from September, but if the hon. Gentleman will refer to the answers I gave him he will be fully acquainted with the facts.