§ 5. Sir REGINALD POLE-CAREWasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that ordinary labourers employed in the stores department at Bull Point are able under existing Regulations to draw 1s. a day more than skilled workmen of ten, or even thirteen, years' service employed in more difficult and dangerous work; and, if so, whether steps could be taken to rectify, this apparent inequality of treatment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is possible for a labourer to receive 1s. a week (not 1s. a day) more than a skilled labourer when the latter is first appointed. The labourer, however, only draws the allowance when employed on special duties superior to fetching and carrying, whereas the appointment to the skilled rating is permanent and leads to higher rates of pay.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWMay I ask: whether a labourer now is able to get more wages than a skilled workman?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is possible on certain occasions. The minimum rate is 22s., and a labourer might for a period get a 2s. allowance for special duties. That would make 24s., whereas the wages of the skilled workman is 23s., but he can go up to 28s.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWMay I ask whether ten to thirteen years is not rather a long time to wait for extra pay?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWould the right hon. Gentleman be surprised if it was stated that the unskilled workman in many cases gets higher pay than the skilled workman?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir, I should be greatly surprised