Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state the result of the inquiry into the alleged violation of the Fair-Wage Clause by Messrs. A. and J. Inglis, Pointhouse, in the pay of their labourers?
§ The SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Inquiry was made last December into the question of the rate current in this district for unskilled labour, but after reference to the Board of Trade the Admiralty came to the conclusion on the evidence then available that the firm in question had not been proved to have failed to comply with the requirements of the Fair-Wages Clause. Later 716 the Admiralty asked for further evidence in support of the contention advanced that the rate current in the district was higher than that paid by Messrs. Inglis. So far no further evidence on this point has been obtained, and the Admiralty are therefore not in a position to take any action in the matter.
Mr. TYSON WILSONHave the Admiralty made inquiries with regard to the wages paid for similar labour in other yards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have.
Mr. TYSON WILSONIs it the fact that other shipbuilding firms in this district pay higher wages to their labourers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say offhand. If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWhat does the Admiralty interpret as the current rate of the district? Is it the lowest rate paid by anyone in the district?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly not the lowest, but the rate current. Under the old Fair-Wages Clause we took every pains to ascertain what the current wage was.
§ Mr. J. WARDIs not the lowest rate the current rate?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly not under the old Clause, as the hon. Member is very well aware.
§ Mr. J. WARDIs not that the interpretation you give to the Fair-Wages Clause always?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the grounds on which the minimum wage for Government workmen in the London I establishments was raised to 24.s. a week; and if, upon sufficient grounds being shown him, he will advise a similar alteration being made in the minimum rate of wages paid to labourers in the out ports?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt appeared from the evidence furnished to the Government that the current rates of wages paid to labourers by good private employers in the London district were, on the whole, higher than the minimum rate hitherto paid to Government workmen in the same district, and when all the circumstances were taken into account, it was decided that the minimum rate should be 24s.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHas the right hon. Gentleman received any petitions from the other ports?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes. Three weeks ago I personally received, on behalf of the Admiralty, a petition from the Pembroke Dock workers, unskilled labourers, in favour of an increase of their minimum. That will be considered. I can give no assurance upon it, but the decision of the Board will be promulgated in due course.