HC Deb 22 July 1912 vol 41 cc782-3
31. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked what is the lowest wage guaranteed to a dockyard worker of the ordinary labourer class employed by the Port Authority of London, and what amount can the same labourer earn per week under the system of plus?

Mr. BUXTON

The guaranteed pay of an ordinary dock labourer is 7d. per hour between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and 9d. per hour between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. No man is paid off with less than four hours' day or night pay. If a labourer did a full week's work without overtime, his earnings would be 28s. This amount can be considerably increased on piecework, but no statistics exist as to the possible earnings of men so employed.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that ordinary labourers in Government dockyards are paid 21s. a week?

Mr. BUXTON

They are not under the Board of Trade.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

They are not.

Mr. JOHN WARD

Did the right hon. Gentleman get his information from the Port of London Authority?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, I should have said that I applied to the Port of London Authority for it.