3. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the inspectors of trades in His Majesty's dockyards have had no increase in their pay since 1907; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will grant them an increase?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, it has recently been decided after full consideraton not to increase the scales of salary now authorised. I may add that during the War inspectors are being paid for overtime in excess of fifty-six hours a week.
§ 4. Mr. JOWETTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Gibraltar Dockyard Local British Work men's Association, in which it is stated that the minimum wage for labourers employed in His Majesty's dockyard at Gibraltar is 13s. 6d. per week, and that food prices, for example, have risen 33 per cent. since last July; and, if so, whether he has considered what ought to be done in the form of war bonus or otherwise to enable the Government workers in the Gibraltar dockyard to meet the increased cost of living due to the War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMen sent from the Home dockyards for service at Gibraltar will receive the emergency increase granted in connection with the award of the Committee on Production. They have already received the increases granted in the replies to petitions to the different classes to which they belong as from 28th September. The case of the locally entered men is receiving careful consideration, and I hope that a decision may be reached very shortly.