§ 58. Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is yet in a position to give an assurance that the stonemasons at Rosyth are all working in accordance with the conditions as to hours and wages agreed to between the employers and employed associations?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the masons employed by Messrs. Thorburn, in regard to whom he put a previous question on the 16th May last. Fifteen stonemasons have been permitted at their own request, made on account of the times of the trains running to their homes, to work fifty-five hours per week instead of fifty. They receive payment for these fifty-five hours at the ordinary time rates.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDDo we understand, therefore, that by these means the contractors evades the responsibility of paying extra?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, the matter is one of some doubt. This is under the old 1617 Fair-Wages Resolution, and is a contract that was signed before the March Resolution, 1909. These fifteen men live at a distance from their work, and they asked to be allowed to go on with some work while waiting for the train. They were therefore paid at the time rate. I am seeking advice, as the matter is one of doubt.
§ Mr. BARNESHave any negotiations taken place with the union, and has the arrangement been made with their consent?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat I cannot say. But the men, instead of hanging about for the train, asked permission to work. I am not prepared at the present moment to say quite how the matter of the pay stands.
§ Mr. PETOAre we to understand that it is seriously contemplated taking away all liberty of individual action?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy answer conveyed no meaning of that sort.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this evasion has been carried out in spite of the protest of the trade union for the last three or four months?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf my hon. Friend will give me the case I shall be glad. I have no information upon that point.
§ 61. Mr. FELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state how much has been spent on new dockyard construction by the Governments of this country and of Germany during the past ten years?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe information asked for by the hon. Member is being prepared by the Department but is not yet available; and I must ask him to postpone his question for a week.
§ 63. Sir JOHN SPEARasked whether or not the carpenters and the shipwrights of the Royal Navy are to be considered for a rise of pay, out of the £60,000 provided in the Estimates last week?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe reply is in the negative.