§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the authorities at the Royal dockyards were consulted before the change was made in regard to the system of engaging outside labour; whether it has been the custom for the authorities in the Royal dockyards to keep lists of men available for particular classes of work in the event of their labour being required; whether these lists have been handed over to the Labour Exchanges, and, if so, have the men whose names appear on these lists been informed that if they want employment they must register their requirements at the Labour Exchanges; whether these men will receive priority of consideration to other men registering at the Labour Exchanges; and whether he can explain in what way the new system is likely to assist the authorities at the Royal dockyards in obtaining more efficient workmen?
Before the right, hon. Gentleman answers, may I point out that they have somehow or other been placed in the wrong order. No. 31 should be first, then 33, then 32, and finally 30 (the above). I do not know whether that will assist the right hon. Gentleman in answering the questions.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I will answer Question 30 first, and the others in their order. With regard to the first part of the question, the matter under reference was discussed with the yard authorities. It has been customary for the authorities in the dockyards to keep lists of men available for particular classes of work in the event of their labour being required. Copies of these lists have been handed over to the Labour Exchanges, whose duty it will be to communicate with these men upon the requisition of the yard authorities. Priority of consideration for the men on these lists would be given if the yard authorities so desire. With 284 regard to the final part of the question, the authorities will at all times have a comprehensive list available at the local office which is in touch with other similar offices throughout the Kingdom.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not a fact that when the First Lord of the Admiralty introduced the Labour Exchanges Bill into the House of Commons, that he gave the House to understand that it was for the purpose of bringing the men who were seeking employment into direct touch with the employers needing labour?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, that is exactly what this is doing.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state to the House the result of the consultations between the Admiralty and the War Office with regard to raising the minimum wages paid to labourers in the Royal dockyards; and, if not, can he give the House an approximate date when he expects these consultations will be brought to a close and a public statement made?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am informed that the discussions on wages of labourers under the War Office and Admiralty in the early part of this year arose out of a confidential report of the Fair Wages Advisory Committee on the minimum wage in the London district. The minimum wage for Government workmen has now been raised to 24s. a week in the London establishments, and certain consequential adjustments of the wages of certain employés in these establishments who were previously paid more than the minimum rate of 23s. are still under consideration. There has been no ground shown for altering the minimum rate of labourers in the outports.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAm I to understand from that reply that the answer given to me by the First Lord of the Admiralty on a former occasion was not in accordance with fact?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI must see the answer before I reply.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it has been the custom for men, after registering their names for vacancies in the Royal dockyards, to accept other work pending a vacancy occurring; whether the same privilege will be extended to men 285 awaiting positions in the yards who have registered their names for that purpose at the local Labour Exchanges; and, if so, will he cause a statement to this effect to be exhibited in a prominent position in the Labour Exchanges of dockyard towns, seeing that it involves a new departure in the administration of Labour Exchanges?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWith regard to the first part of the question, the custom has been as stated. As to the second part of the question, no change of procedure is involved, and therefore there appears to be no necessity to take the course suggested in the third part.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes that not conflict with the rules and regulations of the Labour Exchanges generally?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn no way.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the date when the engaging of workmen at the Royal dockyards was transferred from the yard authorities to the Labour Exchanges; whether the new system is by way of experiment, and, if so, how long is that experiment to continue; whether his attention has been called to the statement that the old system of entering men in the Royal dockyards was regarded as desultory and unsatisfactory, and that the object of the new scheme is to try and establish a greater continuity of labour conditions; whether this statement may be taken as expressing the views of the Admiralty; if so, will he explain on what premises the Government found their contention that entry through the Labour Exchanges will ensure a greater continuity of labour conditions; and, if not so, will he explain what advantages will accrue to the men from the new system of entry?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn 8th September instructions were given designed to secure closer co-operation between the local Labour Exchanges and the dockyards in the matter of engaging workmen. The experiment will be subject to report and revision after six months. The suggestion made in the third part of the question has not, so far as I am aware, been put forward by the Admiralty, and therefore the subsequent questions do not arise.
Mr. POINTERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that whilst facilities are allowed in Devonport dockyard for the delivery of newspapers to the workmen before work commences, steps have recently been taken to prevent 286 the delivery of the "Labour Leader"; and whether he will put a stop to this discrimination?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am informed that the question of the propriety of the sale of newspapers in His Majesty's dockyards by dockyard employés is under consideration. If prohibition is decided upon, all newspapers will be treated alike and no discrimination is contemplated.