§ 7. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the position of timekeepers in His Majesty's dockyards; whether he is aware that on entry they receive 4s. a day for seven days' work; that, taking this work on the basis of six days, this payment is equivalent to the minimum amount paid to labourers; and whether, in view of the importance of the 699 work done by timekeepers, he will consider the possibility of some higher remuneration being given, more especially in view of the fact that no increase of pay has been granted to timekeepers since 1901, while during that period the wages of the ordinary labourer have risen from 19s. to 24s. a week?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts are as stated in the first part of the hon. Member's question, though it should be added that timekeepers are on an incremental scale of pay rising to a maximum of 35s. a week. As regards the latter part of the question, it is not proposed to authorise any increase in the normal scale of pay, but the question of allowing timekeepers to participate in the war increases recently approved for labourers and others is at present under consideration.
8. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the joiners employed by the Admiralty at Rosyth have not had their wages increased to the same extent as those employed at the Royal dockyards, and that the increase they have received has only been paid from 12th February while the men in the Royal dockyards received the increase as from 1st October last; and whether he will see that the men at Rosyth are treated in the same manner as those in the Royal dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe joiners at present employed by the Admiralty at Rosyth are paid on the basis of the local outside rate, which at present is 9d. per hour. The increase referred to as paid from 12th February last refers to an advance to 9½d. per hour given to Admiralty joiners in consequence of increased outside rates due to the acceleration of work at Rosyth. The rates paid and increases recently given at the Royal dockyards to similar workmen do not apply.
§ 9. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if a petition from the additional hired writers in the Naval Stores Department at Devonport asking for an increase of wages from their present rate of 24s. a week has been received; and, if so, has favourable consideration been given to the prayer of the petitioners?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The application is now being considered.