§ 35. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the night-patrol men employed at Messrs. Cammell, Lairds, Birkenhead, work an average of eighty-nine hours a week— thirteen hours for five nights and twelve hours for the other two nights of the week—for a wage of 34s. per week, and that these patrol men never received any extra rates for working during the last calendar Bank holiday; whether he is aware that these men sent a petition to the manager of the firm on 15th June asking consideration of their case and an increase of wages, to which no reply has been given the men; and whether, having regard to the fact that Messrs. Cammell, Lairds are a controlled establishment, steps will be taken to have the men's claim submitted to arbitration within the terms of the Munitions Act?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no information as to the points raised in the first two parts of the question. The men them- 2040 selves, or their representatives, if they have a difference with their employer,, which cannot be settled otherwise, can report the matter to the Board of Trade under Part I. of the Munitions of War Act, without the intervention of the Ministry of Munitions.