7. Mr. F. HALLasked the rate of pay for navvies stipulated in contracts for dock construction work for the Admiralty and the rate paid to navvies, if any, employed direct; if Messrs. S. Pearson and Sons, who recently had a dispute with their men as to the rate, 6d. an hour, paid to navvies engaged in the construction of the new dock at Silvertown for the Port of London Authority, are at present carrying out any such work for the Admiralty; and what, at the time of the Silvertown dispute, was the rate for this class of labour recognised by the London County Council for the London area?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo definite rate of pay for navvies is stipulated for dock construction work for the Admiralty under contract. In such contracts the usual Fair-Wages Clause, as specified in the Resolution passed by this House on 10th March, 1909, is always inserted. The rate of wages paid to navvies in direct employment by the Admiralty in the home yards and establishments is from 24s. to 26s. per week of forty-eight working hours. We have no navvies directly employed by us in the London district. Messrs. S. Pearson and Son are not at present carrying out any contracts for the Admiralty.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask if it is true that this firm had been in the habit of underpaying their navvies, and if so, will they be placed on the list of firms with which the Admiralty are not prepared to deal?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey are not doing any work for us at present and therefore I cannot deal with their action except in a contract for us.
Mr. F. HALLHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the question to which I have referred of this firm paying 6d. instead of 7½d. to their navvies?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy attention has been drawn to this question and I have tried to answer it.