§ Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that Messrs. Thorburn, builders, who have a contract at the naval base, Rosyth, are working a squad of men ten hours a day notwithstanding that the local agreement with the employers is, and has been for many years, a nine hours day; and what steps he intend to take in the matter?
The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Lambert)One hundred and eleven masons are employed; ninety-six work nine hours a day. The remaining fifteen have requested to be allowed to work the longer period in consequence of the greater distance they live from their work.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDIs the reply of the hon. Member to the effect that the hours being worked are contrary to the agreement with the employers in the locality?
Mr. LAMBERTI do not think it is contrary to the agreement, but I shall be glad to receive any representations which the hon. Member desires to make on this point.
§ Mr. BARNESIs what the hon. Member has stated in accordance with the agreement between the association of employers in the district under the Fair-Wages Clause passed by this House?
Mr. LAMBERTI do not know what has been the custom in this case. Only fifteen workmen have worked longer hours because of the greater distance they live from their work.
§ Mr. BARNESThe suggestion in my question is that there is an agreement between the men and the employers in the district, and is it not quite obvious that this means getting outside that agreement?
Mr. LAMBERTIf my hon. Friend can show me that what is being done is outside the contract I will inquire into the matter, but, as far as I am advised, I do not think it is outside the contract.
§ Mr. WHELERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received a petition from the Imperial Service Order medallists of the Royal dockyards; and, if so, whether he can state when a reply can be given?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received the petition from the Imperial Service Order medallists of the Royal dockyards praying that those men who receive a medal may also receive a gratuity or a small addition to their pensions; and if he can state when a reply may be expected?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am not aware of the receipt of a recent petition praying that those men who receive the Imperial Service Medal should also receive a gratuity or small addition to their pensions; but, as I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Chatham on the 16th April, I cannot undertake to adopt the suggestion that the Imperial Service Medal should carry with it some monetary consideration.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDo I understand that no provision is made by the Treasury?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASo far as I know, no.