§ 4 and 5. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether he is aware that the Workers' Union on the 6th April last reported to the chief industrial commissioner a difference with regard to the wages of yard-craft men and rope-makers employed in Devonport Dock- 1828 yard, and that the Admiralty have refused to submit the matter to arbitration; will he state the reason for this violation of the Munitions of War Act on the part of the Department; and (2) whether he is aware that the Workers' Union on tie 2nd June last reported to the Chief Industrial Commissioner a difference with regard to the wages of workpeople employed at the Holton Heath Cordite Factory, and that the Admiralty have refused to submit the matter to arbitration; and will he state the reason for this violation of the Munitions of War Act on the part of the Department?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the wages of yard-craft men and ropemakers in our employment, the Workers' Union made application as indicated. I can assure my hon. Friend that the greatest possible care has been taken by the Admiralty to survey in detail the conditions of service of the men in question. So far-as the yard-craft men are concerned, a most competent Admiralty Committee examined their hours of labour, conditions, and wages a year or two since, and submitted to us a most valuable Report, many of the recommendations of which have already been incorporated in our Regulations. The case of the ropemakers, in common with those of all our employés, has been the subject of the most careful consideration. With regard to Holton Heath, the Workers' Union also communicated with the Chief Industrial Commissioner asking that the rates at the factory should be adjusted to those at another factory within the London area. This demand, so far as we are concerned, cannot be conceded. The rates of pay at Holton Heath were settled after very careful consideration, and they have been the subject of close review. They are considered just and equitable.
§ Mr. DUNCANMay I ask, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give me any reason why these particular works are not to come within the Munitions Act, seeing that the Munitions Act was passed in order to avoid disputes; and if they do not come within the Munitions Act, are not the n en entitled to leave?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe men have the most ample means of representing their grievances through the machinery which is already in existence as part of the Admiralty scheme for hearing the men's complaints.