§ 58. Mr. MULDOONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will cause a Report to be furnished to him of the cost of living and the expense of house-rent in Queenstown compared with the Government dockyard towns of Chatham, Sheerness, Portsmouth, and Devonport; whether, if he finds the fact to be that there is no substantial difference, he will bring the wages of the skilled and ordinary labourers employed at Haulbowline to the level of the amounts paid in the last-named places; and whether he is aware that the differentiation causes much irritation and dissatisfaction, not only at Haulbowline,but generally in all the above-named places?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe particulars which it is understood the Board of Trade arc at present collating in regard to the cost of living in different localities will be carefully considered as soon as they are available. The rates of wages of skilled and ordinary labourers at Haulbowline will, however, again be reviewed in connection with the present's year petitions. I am aware that the labourers at the dockyards in England and "Wales support their confreres at Haulbowline in their request for the same rate of wages at all the Home dockyards. I should add that our rates at Haulbowline appear to compare favourably with those for outside labour of a similar character.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for York recently stated on scientific authority that 23s. 8d. is the sum necessary to keep a family of five in bare physical efficiency, and having regard to the fact that in dockyard towns in England and Wales Is. 3d. less than that is paid, will he reconsider the matter with a view to bringing Government workers up to the bare level of the workhouse?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe do, of course, take these matters into serious consideration. We see that the men in our employ shall have as good employment as men who are doing similar work outside.
§ Mr. MULDOONHave not the workmen at Queenstown demonstrated to the right hon. Gentleman that the wages outside are better than they get in the dockyard?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, I think not, I shall hear the men at Haulbowline, and, although I give no undertaking, I shall certainly pay attention to what is said to me.