HC Deb 17 August 1916 vol 85 cc2064-5
64. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is the intention of the Government to give a fur ther bonus to men employed in the Royal dockyards; and, if so, will he state the amount and from what date the new payment will be made?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

Additional temporary war increases have recently been granted in His Majesty's home dockyards and naval establishments, namely, 3s. a week to adult male employés and 1s. a week to apprentices and boys. These increases take effect as from the 23rd July.

65. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the clerical staff in His; Majesty's dock yards will participate in the; new war bonus; and, if that is not to be the case, will he explain the reason for the omission?

Dr. MACNAMARA

No, Sir. The matter is under consideration, but I can give no undertaking respecting it.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been under consideration almost since the beginning of the War? When will some result be arrived at?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As my hon. Friend knows, more than one Government Department is concerned.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

I know that.

68. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the men employed by the Admiralty as yard-craft men have sent in a request for a victualling allowance of 1s. 6d. per day; whether he is aware that this allowance is paid to the crews of hired tugs and the tugs of the Great Western Railway Company; and whether he will take steps to see that consideration is given to what is considered a hardship borne by these men in the trying circumstances of their employment?

Dr. MACNAMARA

A victualling allowance of 1s. 6d. a day was formerly paid as a separate allowance to yard craft men, but was merged in their pay some years ago, that pay being increased by the full amount of the victualling allowance at the time when the change was made. As I informed my hon. Friend yesterday, the conditions of service of the yard craft men have recently been the subject of a most careful review, and they are considered to be just and equitable. I cannot admit that these men are suffering any hardship in not receiving a victualling allowance in addition to their ordinary rate of pay, which, as I say, was some time ago brought up to include pay plus victualling allowance.

Mr. DUNCAN

Have these men received any advance of wages since the War began?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I believe they have received a war bonus?

86. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the employés in His Majesty's Gunwharf, Devonport, will be placed in a similar position to the employés in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, with regard to the extra bonus?

Mr. FORSTER

This matter is under consideration.