§ 7. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to men employed in the Royal dockyard at Keyham owing to the method adopted in returning the men's insurance cards; whether, in view of the fact that the recorders collect the cards from the men, he will consider the possibility of allowing the recorders to distribute them again, instead of requiring the men to remain, in some cases for an hour, waiting their turn to get their cards; and whether he is aware that hundreds of workmen employed at Keyham live a considerable distance from the dockyard, and that this encroachment upon their private time amounts to an infringement of the general regulations as to the hours of work governing employment in the Royal dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware that the men referred to have stated that inconvenience will arise in distributing the insurance cards, which distribution is to take place to-day. I do not think that the inconvenience will be great; certainly, the time occupied will not approach that mentioned by the hon. Member. The question will, however, be carefully investigated before the next distribution of cards takes place.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that hundreds of these men live miles away from the place where the distribution takes place, and that if the distribution is to take place in their private time it diminishes the private time at their disposal?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes. What happens is this. We let the recorders collect the blank cards, but the stamped cards of the men are of great importance to us, and there must be no miscarriage. The distribution will take about ten or fifteen minutes once a quarter. I cannot consider that that is a very great hardship.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAn hour.