§ 31. Mr. LEEasked what is the present condition of the works at Rosyth; how long has the present strike of navvies lasted; and what steps are being taken by the Admiralty to ensure that the progress of these urgently needed works shall not be further delayed?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Work was resumed at Rosyth this morning. Between 1,000 and 2,000 men are now at work, and I assume that this includes all the men previously in the contractor's employment who had not already left the district. The contractor has undertaken to pay a minimum of 5½d. an hour for navvies and labourers, and has given an assurance that this shall not be reduced. I am advised that the men have gone back without prejudice to their view that the minimum should be 6d. an hour. The strike commenced on Sunday night, 22nd September, and has therefore lasted two and a-half weeks. The latter part of the question, I think, has been fully answered in the replies I gave yesterday and the day before.
§ 86. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the unsatisfactory housing accommodation in the Rosyth district has been one of the causes of the recent strike of navvies employed in the construction of the naval base; and whether the Scottish Local Government Board, in conjunction with the Admiralty, will insist on better housing conditions and hospital accommodation being provided for the workers?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)In reply to my hon. Friend, I beg to refer him to the detailed answer on the same subject given yesterday by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Pontefract, which seems to cover the points referred to.