§ 9. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether badges or buttons are being issued by the Admiralty to the employés in works in large industrial centres engaged in carrying out Admiralty contracts; if he can state the number of works in Lanarkshire in which such badges or buttons have been issued, and the conditions attaching to their issue and use?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer is in the affirmative. Some fifty firms in the district referred to, the majority in and about Glasgow, have been supplied. The badges are issued to men continuously engaged upon His Majesty's ships and armaments, their issue being restricted to those employés who, from their experience and skill, are absolutely indispensable for the rapid and effective execution of the work referred to.
§ Mr. MILLARMay I ask whether the badges are issued by the Admiralty direct or by the employers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe sent a set of regulations to the firm—of which I will give the hon. Member a copy—and then the firm find out how many men will conform to those regulations and make application for the badges, which are then sent on to the firm.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEMay I ask if this system of the distribution of badges is confined to Glasgow or is extended to all parts where Admiralty work is being done?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not, of course, confined to Glasgow. All firms engaged in the manufacture of His Majesty's ships and armour-plating can make application for the regulations and see whether they can comply with them.
Mr. CATHCART WASONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of extending this privilege to officers and men of the mercantile marine engaged in Government service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat carries it beyond its purpose. What we want is to retain at their work indispensable men like fitters who might otherwise be enlisted. My hon. Friend is suggesting a very wide extension.
§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTS (Ecclesall, Sheffield)May I ask whether badges have been sent to the large armament works at Sheffield?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf they are engaged on work for the Admiralty they have only got to apply, and I will take care that we will see whether their men qualify under the regulations.
§ Mr. BARNESIs anything being done of a corresponding nature with men in the dockyard?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, all the dockyard men get the badge.
§ 10. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any communication has been addressed to the large industrial firms engaged in the performance of Admiralty contracts informing them that the workers engaged in carrying out such contracts are performing as great a service for their country as if they had enlisted in the Army, and offering some form of recognition to the workers in question to show that they are employed in Government service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. A letter was issued in the sense indicated. Recognition of the fact that workers engaged in such contracts are fulfilling their duty has been made by the issue of posters displayed in the works and by the issue of badges.
Mr. FENWICKMay I ask whether, seeing that the product of the miner is the basis of all manufacturing processes, he will see his way to recommend the Government to extend some such favour to the miner producing coal in this country?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am only responsible for those engaged in indispensable work for the Admiralty, but I will take care that this point is mentioned to those responsible.