HC Deb 22 January 1913 vol 47 cc386-7
1. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the statement made in the Report of the Poor Law Commissions that casual labour is the curse of modern industry, that it is deteriorating to a man and disastrous to his family, he can see his way to so arranging the taking on of labour in the Royal dockyards as to give a larger amount of permanent employment than is at present given?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

As the hon. Member is aware, employment in the dockyards is to a large extent of a permanent character, and when discharges become necessary in one department every effort is made to absorb the redundant men in any vacancies which may exist in other departments. Of some 52,000 men in our employment, roughly 8,000 are established, and therefore cannot be dismissed save for misconduct; and of the remainder it is safe to say that three out of four are pretty certain of continuous employment. It is necessary from time to time to take on a comparatively small number of men to meet temporary requirements, for whom it is impossible to provide continuous employment, whilst in the case of coaling the work is necessarily of an intermittent character. Coaling labour is however, paid for at special rates, which are in excess of those paid for ordinary casual labour. I am fully aware of the disadvantages of casual employment, and would certainly desire to reduce it to a minimum; but I regret that T can give no undertaking in the sense indicated in the last part of the question.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Does the right hon. Gentleman think he is reducing casual employment when the authorities at Devonport Dockyard at the present time are dismissing men with twelve, fourteen, and fifteen years' service? Is not that disastrous to these men and their families?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I said employment to a large extent was of a permanent character, and even of the hired men it was safe to say that three out of four were pretty sure to obtain employment.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

May we understand these men who have such long service will be considered immediately there are opportunities of taking men on?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have said if we have to turn men off for want of employment we make every effort to find them other employment, but I am sorry to say that is not always possible.