§ 18. Mr. BARNESasked whether the electrical work on His Majesty's ship "New Zealand" and His Majesty's ship "Conqueror," which is unfinished owing to the dispute in the contractors' yards, is to be completed in Devonport dockyard; if so, at whose cost the work is to be done; and whether it will be done in strict compliance with the Fair Wages Clause?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASo far as His Majesty's ship "New Zealand" is concerned, the electrical work was not completed when she left Messrs. Fairfield's, but was completed in Devonport dockyard by the contractors at their expense. As regards His Majesty's ship "Conqueror," in order to avoid delaying the ship, it has been decided to defer work on other ships, and transfer dockyard employés to this ship to complete the work. The cost of such work will be chargeable against the contractors. Our charge against the contractor will certainly not be lower than compliance with the Fair Wages Clause would have imposed.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECould the right hon. Gentleman say why this work is to be completed by dockyard employés?
§ Dr. MACNAMARABecause we want the ship to go to sea.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECould the right hon. Gentleman say why the work could not have been completed in Glasgow?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe question shows that; there was a dispute. The ship was taken to Devonport dockyard, and we took hands off other ships and put them on this one in order to complete her, some of her electrical gear not having been fitted.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEThen there was a dispute?