§ 3. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked how many skilled labourers are employed in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, and what is the number receiving the special rate of 31s. per week?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The number of skilled labourers employed In His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, is, approximately, 3,120, and the number now receiving the special rate of 31s. a week is sixty-eight. It should be understood that the special rates are not intended to be applied to all the men who are rated as skilled labourers, but to a limited number only of such as may be engaged as manual workers on the more important operations requiring skill or special qualifications, or who are employed as responsible workmen actually using hand or machine tools.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that after his statement on the Naval Estimates the rumour got about that this higher rate was to extend to all skilled labourers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly, and so it does whenever the condtions just stated are satisfied.
§ 4. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked what is the number of men on the intermediate rates employed in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, who have received an increase of pay since the date when the increases came into force?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAssuming that the question refers to skilled labourers only, the number of men on the intermediate rates who have received an increase is 824 approximately. As the hon. Member 326 is aware, in addition to these increases, the rate for ordinary labourers has been raised from 21s. to 22s. a week, and in Devonport yard 902 men have received this increase. Further, about 700 skilled labourers on the minimum rate of 22s. have now been advanced to the new minimum of 23s. a week.