§ 18. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of discharges of civil labourers in the Admiralty Departments during the last two years; whether the vacancies so caused have been filled in by naval and Marine ratings; whether it is claimed that these ratings were used in case of emergency; and, if so, why civil labour was not employed to do the necessary work?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The number of civilian workpeople discharged from Admiralty establishments during the period referred to from all causes, including their own request, exceeded 8,000. Of this number rather less than half were labourers, skilled and otherwise. The total discharges were more than balanced by total entries, so that the net result is an increase on total numbers during the period in question. So far as can be ascertained, no vacancies were filled by naval or marine ratings.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to infer that no vacancies have ever been filled by naval and marine ratings?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey have not been filled, as suggested in the question, by the discharge of civilian workmen.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHas it not been the result of those discharges?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, I should not think so.
§ 19. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction in the Royal Dockyards at the number of petitions that remain unanswered, some of these petitions having been sent in some time ago; and whether it is possible to hurry the answer to these petitions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe existence of any general dissatisfaction of the kind referred to has not been brought to notice. The petitions for 1912–13 were replied to in detail on 29th September last. New petitions were received in the latter part of April this year, and since that date I have received six large deputations of the petitioners in London, and have visited Haul-bowline, Pembroke Dock, Devonport, and Portsmouth to hear deputations of workmen in support of their petitions, Altogether, about 200 deputations have been received since the end of April, and I have still to visit Chatham, Sheerness, Dover, Portland, and Greenock. I would remind the Noble Lord that there are some 55,000 dockyard employés distributed over more than 100 classes in many separate departments and establishments. A survey of the kind followed cannot be disposed of in a few weeks; and I am confident that the employés generally fully realise the great amount of time and care bestowed on the hearing and consideration of their petitions, and that they are satisfied that all possible expedition will be used in replying to the petitions which they have presented this year.
§ 24. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the corporations of Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport are paying their labourers 28s. 3d., 26s., and 26s., respectively; and if he will consider the advisability of raising the rates of pay for established and hired ordinary labourers so as to make these rates correspond more nearly with the current wages paid to men doing similar work for the corporations mentioned?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe rates of wages paid by the corporations of the dockyard towns have been put before me in the representations which have been made by the dockyard employés in their petitions for increases in wages. In dealing with the applications from the dockyard employés for advances in wages, every available relevant fact is most carefully considered.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman understand that on former occasions he has told me that the rate of wages payable to dockyard labourers is based upon the rate paid in the district?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is no doubt the fact. The hon. Member takes certain cases which do not represent the whole field of operations outside the yard, but these have been placed before me, and I most carefully consider every case.
§ 25. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to answer the petitions which were presented from His Majesty's dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs soon as my visits to the yards, and the consequent consideration by the Board of Admiralty of the questions raised, are complete. The hon. Member will see from the reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth that a very great deal of time and labour are involved.
§ 26. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked how many skilled and ordinary labourers in His Majesty's dockyards have been promoted to chargemen, recorders, and inspectors during the twelve months ending 30th June, 1914?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAFifteen skilled labourers have been made chargemen during the period in question. No skilled or ordinary labourers have been promoted to recorders or inspectors during the same period.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has arrived when that should be the case?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey are eligible for recorders, but they are not often selected because more suitable, men are available.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKErose—
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLMay I direct your attention, Sir, to the fact that there are 127 questions on the Paper?