§ 59. Mr. BARNESasked the wages paid per week, the hours, and the conditions of service in respect to pension of the commissionaires employed by the Admiralty in the Admiralty offices?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACommissionaires are only employed at the Admiralty in temporary vacancies. When so employed they work the ordinary messengers' hours and receive the usual pay for commissionaires, namely, 21s. a week. My impression is that my hon. Friend has in mind the messengers at the Admiralty office. On that assumption let me add that the initial rate of pay for pensioner messengers at the Admiralty is 21s. a week, but 25 per cent. of the total number employed may be advanced by annual increments of 1s. to 24s. a week. In addition, special allowances are authorised for messengers employed 1052 in the more responsible positions. The ordinary hours of attendance are from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with a half-holiday on Saturday so far as the work of the office admits. Overtime and Sunday attendances are paid for at the rate of 6d. an hour. Twelve days ordinary leave, with pay, is allowed, in addition to Bank holidays and public holidays; and sixteen days' sick leave on three-quarters pay in any twelve months, with an extension in cases of severe illness or other special circumstances. Messengers draw their naval or marine pensions whilst serving, and are eligible for gratuities on discharge under the ordinary rules applicable to hired employés under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887. Uniform is provided by the Crown.