§ 9. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether 10 per cent, is deducted from the wages of drillers employed in the Royal dockyards using air-hardening steel; and, seeing that in existing conditions the use of air-hardening steel for drilling is necessary, will he say on what ground this deduction is made and when the order was issued?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The question apparently has reference to the fact that the piecework rates for drilling with pneumatic tools are, when high-speed drills are used, 30 per cent, of the rates for drilling with ordinary hand tools and 40 per cent, of those rates when high-speed drills are not used in the pneumatic tools. The difference in rates is made on the ground that it represents the difference in the work which can be done with the different tools. The order for this difference in piecework rates was issued in 1908.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the use of these drills not absolutely necessary in the ordinary course of work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, may be; but the lion. Member may take it from me that the men on hand work and using pneumatic drills are able to earn pretty much the same as the others. There is no hardship.
§ 10. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long the order has been in force requiring a deduction from riveters' wages for the reaming of bad holes; whether he is aware that this deduction is made from all riveters; and whether he can see his way to amend the order in such a way that no general deduction be made?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is no system of deduction for reaming bad holes. What happens is this: When the holes are reamed or drilled—that is to say, made smooth in advance by other men—a 5 per tent, difference in the piecework rates applies as compared with the rates applicable to the cases where the holes are not so prepared for the riveter. The matter has been before me in connection with the annual hearing of petitions, and I have it under consideration. I cannot undertake, however, to recommend payment for the prepared holes at the same rate as the payment made in respect of the holes not so prepared in advance for the riveter.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIf the right hon. Gentleman has the matter under consideration, I suppose I may take it there is a real grievance?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, no! I have taken many things into consideration that were alleged grievances, but in the end I found that they were not well substantiated.
§ 11. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is usual in outside firms when a general rise is given in pay to put up piecework prices in like proportion; whether he is aware that in 1906, when a general rise in pay was given, the Royal dockyards piece workers' prices were put up 4 per cent.; and whether he will explain to the House why, when in 1910 and 1912 rises took place, no change was made in piecework prices?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI believe the hon. Gentleman has correctly stated the outside practice. So far as His Majesty's dockyards are concerned, the piecework rates were advanced in 1906, in which year there was a general advance in wages. As there was no general advance of wages for labourers and skilled labourers in 1910, piecework rates were not then advanced. Nor have they been this year for the skilled labourers, as no general advance has been given to that class. So far as the ordinary labourers are concerned, we have this year raised their rate by 1s. a week, and a corresponding advance has been made in the piecework schemes applicable to them.
§ 12. Mr. WHELERasked whether the chargemen working in His Majesty's dock yard at Sheerness who were granted the increased pay of 3s. per week in the answers to petitions received on 1st August, 1912, have received the increased pay; if not, when such increased pay will be given them; and whether the increase will be granted from the 1st of August, 1912?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the increased rates will be issued as soon as their allocation has been determined, and will be paid as from 1st August.
§ Mr. WHELERIs it a fact that all the other grades in the dockyard have received their increased pay; why, therefore, is there delay in this special case?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt would not be true to say "all other grades." There are special cases where we had to see whether the new Regulations applied. In this case we have selected the chargemen, who are to rise from 6s. to 9s., and the order will be promulgated forthwith. They will get the increased pay in those cases from 1st August.
§ Mr. WHELERWill overtime also be paid from 1st August on the increased basis?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not sure how the overtime is paid: I will look into that.