Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, how many smiths' 1184 hammermen there are employed at the Royal dockyards at Chatham, Devonport, Portsmouth, and Sheerness, and the rates of wage paid them at the several yards?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The number of hammermen employed is as follows:—Chatham, 172; Devonport, 145; Portsmouth, 188; Sheerness, 27. Hammermen are classed as skilled labourers, and their rates of pay are within the scale allowed for the class, namely, 22s. minimum, ordinary maximum 26s. 6d. for established men, and 28s. for hired men, with special rates for limited numbers up to 28s. 6d. for established men, and 30s. for hired men.
Mr. TYSON WILSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say if any of the men at Devonport have received an increase?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will look into the details of Devonport and communicate them to the hon. Member?
§ Mr. FELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the granite to be supplied to Rosyth dockyard is now being delivered from the Norwegian quarries; and if any tests have been made or proof obtained that such granite possesses the lasting qualities of Scotch or Cornwall granite?
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. George Lambert)The granite for Rosyth dockyard is being delivered from Norwegian quarries. The tests which have been made are satisfactory, and it is considered that the granite being delivered is in every way suitable for Admiralty purposes.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIf the hon. Gentleman is in the neighbourhood I would invite him to go and look at the granite for himself.