§ 14. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether drillers employed in His Majesty's dockyard, Portsmouth, are checked 4 per cent. from their piecework earnings on account of their drills being ground for them; whether the practice of grinding these tools has been discontinued; if so, whether the men are still checked 4 per cent.; whether this practice of checking men is carried out in other dockyards or is only a local order; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be held with a view to the money deducted being refunded to the men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is the case that drillers who are not required to grind their own drills are paid for piece-work drilling at rates 4 per cent. lower than men who have to leave their drilling work to grind their tools. The practice in this matter is in accord with Admiralty instructions issued to all dockyards. Any cases in which the men may consider that the 4 per cent. abatement from rates may have been made improperly would be fully investigated if represented to the local officers by the workmen affected. It is 363 worth noting that the earnings during the past twelve weeks in Portsmouth Yard of men using pneumatic drills averaged 46 per cent. above day-pay wages, compared with an average of 42 per cent. by hand drillers who grind their own tools.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman let the men know that they can apply to him, so that the question can be gone into?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is no need whatever to do that. The men know that they can apply to the Admiral Superintendent in any case where they think they have a grievance.
17. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked whether it is the custom at Portsmouth Dockyard to promote skilled labourers to the position of chargemen; and, if so, how many have been promoted during the last three years?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. Sixteen have been so promoted during the last three years.