§ 84. Mr. MULDOONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a number of men have recently been discharged from Haul-bowline; whether a number of others are under notice; and whether he can give particulars and state why this step has been taken, in face of the fact that there is a congestion of work in the Government dockyards in England?
Mr. LAMBERTTwenty-two men entered for temporary work have been discharged since 1st June, on the completion of work for which they were entered, and eight more men are under notice for the same reason. Five men have been discharged, and five are under notice for other reasons.
§ Captain DONELANIn view of the fact that the work at Haulbowline always gives satisfaction, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure a steady supply of work, with a view to avoiding these discharges, which inflict very great hardship on the men, even if they are only for a short time?
Mr. LAMBERTThe Admiralty have no wish at all to discharge the men, but I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that it would not be good economy to keep men on if there is no work for them to do.
§ Mr. MULDOONIs there a congestion of work in the Government dockyards in England?
§ 87. Mr. MULDOONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that there is much dissatisfaction at Haulbowline with the recent so-called improvement in the 2224 labourers' wages made by the Department; whether he can state exactly what the changes were and their effect; and when will the question come up for reconsideration?
Mr. LAMBERTThe Admiralty are not aware that the facts are as stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As my right hon. Friend announced in the House of Commons on the 8th May, the rate of pay for labourers at Haulbowline has been advanced from 21s. to 22s. a week, and the minimum rate of 22s. for skilled labourers is now to be regarded as a probationary rate on which no skilled labourer is to be retained for more than twelve months continuously, whilst it is competent for the yard officers to advance any men beyond the probationary rate so soon as they are considered proficient. I may say, for my hon. Friend's information, that since these concessions came into operation 256 labourers have been advanced from 21s. to 22s. a week, and forty-eight skilled labourers have also received advances.
§ Captain DONELANCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that the wages of labourers at Haulbowline will be raised to the same standard as the wages paid to labourers in the English dockyards?
Mr. LAMBERTThat is a question which had been often considered, and this is the considered decision of the Admiralty on the point.