§ 21. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that from Monday last an alteration has taken place in the prices paid for piece-work by hand at Devonport Dockyard, and that, instead of paying pieceworkers 40 per cent. for all work ½-inch and under and 50 per cent. for all work above ½-inch, a uniform rate of 40 per cent, is now being paid; whether he is aware that the change is causing dissatisfaction; and can he see his way to appoint a piece-work board where men and masters can meet together and set prices, as is done in outside shipwright firms?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAn alteration has recently been made in the piecework rates for drilling with pneumatic tools by which certain work which was formerly paid for at the rate of 30 per cent. of the prices in the schedule will in future be paid for at the rate of 40 per cent. of those prices. At the same time, it has been arranged that certain work which was paid for at the rate of 50 per cent. will be paid for at the rate of 40 per cent., the intention being in these cases that in future the men shall invariably be supplied with high speed drills, which will enable them, generally speaking, to earn at the 40 per cent. rate as much as they have been able to earn at the 50 per cent. rate. From certain reports which have come in, this appears to be borne out in actual experience under the new arrangement. My information, however, is not fully complete. When it is, I will go into the matter and take care that any ground for legitimate grievance, if such exist, shall be removed. With regard to the question of appointing a piecework board, the suggestion has been put to me at the annual hearing of petitions, and will receive the consideration of the Board; but I am afraid I can hold out no prospect that it will be found possible 1653 under our organisation to follow the practice which the hon. Gentleman refers to as adopted by outside firms.