§ 76. Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he was aware that the prevailing unrest was partly due to the low wages paid to Government workers; if he could say how many persons over twenty years of age were in Admiralty employ whose wages were not more than 20s. per week; and if he would provide in the next Estimates for a minimum wage of 24s. being paid to all adult workers in the 302 employment of the Admiralty who were of adult age?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOmitting apprentices, the number of male persons over twenty years of age employed in the Home Establishments in receipt of not more than 20s. a week is approximately 300. Practically all of these are employed at Haulbowline, where the rate for labourers is 20s. a week, though there are five men engaged in the Medical Establishments, in various capacities, who are receiving 20s. a week or less. With regard to women workers, there are, so far as I can ascertain, about 580 receiving wages of not more than 20s. a week. Most of these women are engaged as spinners, colour makers, tracers, seamstresses, washers and mangers, and charwomen. I cannot give the undertaking asked in the last part of the question. I may add that all dockyard employés have a means of direct access to the Board of Admiralty annually at the hearing of petitions, and the claims put forward by them are carefully considered.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes that reply refer to the wages paid to labourers at the dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe labourers in this answer are the labourers at Haulbowline, where the rate is 20s.
§ Mr. BARNESDoes it include commissionaires?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey are not included. They get 21s. I went into their case.
§ 77. Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the labourers employed at the Fairfield shipbuilding yard have struck on account of the firm ignoring their application for an increase in wages; whether he is aware that other shipbuilding firms in the district have been requested to boycott the men on strike; whether he is also aware that the Fairfield Company have sent His Majesty's ship "Endeavour" to be cleaned and docked with the firm of Henderson, Meadowside, Partick, where the rates of wages are very low; whether this has been done with the consent of the Admiralty; and whether he will make full and prompt inquiry into the matter, and secure strict compliance with the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause?
§ 82. Mr. HOLMESalso asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has 303 been called to the present dispute in the Fairfield shipbuilding yard at Govan; and whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter, with a view to its equitable settlement?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am advised that the labourers employed at the Fairfield shipbuilding yard have struck for an increase of wages. I am also informed that the firm have communicated with other federated firms in regard to the strike. I have instituted inquiries respecting the "Endeavour," but have not up to the moment received any reply. I could not say, upon the evidence before me, that there has been any breach of the Fair-Wages Clause, but I will have further inquiries made forthwith.
§ Mr. BARNESWill the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the Fair-Wages Clause in respect to sub-contractors is carried out with regard to this ship?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf it is not, certainly!
§ Mr. BARNESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that an agent on behalf of this firm is sending round lists of the men on strike to the firms in the district asking those firms not to employ these men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said I had received some information to the effect that the firm had communicated with the other federated firms in respect to this matter.
§ Mr. BARNESWill the hon. Gentleman see that the wages paid to these men in future are increased to the £1 0s. 3d., which is the standard rate paid in the district?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will see that the Fair-Wages Clause is carried out.