22. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in any of the naval factories men are engaged on the same class of work, some paid piecework and some paid by the day; and whether men engaged on day-work have the option of being put on piece-work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The responsible officers have to take account of all the circumstances. It may very well be that when a man is first put upon work which is new to him, if he were immediately put upon piece-work his earnings would be less than his day-work rate would entitle him to. All these matters, as I have said, the responsible officers take into account.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether an efficient man who desires to be transferred from day-work to piece-work, and who can earn considerably more at piece-work, has the option of being put upon piecework?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo. There are some classes of work on which it is not desirable to put a man on piece-work—for instance, the vital parts of aeroplanes. I do not think it is desirable to put men on piece-work on that class of work.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWith reference to work on which men are engaged both on piece-work and day-work, has the man who is doing day-work got the option of being transferred to piece-work if it is work on which piece-work is being done?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe matter is one for the local officer. If it is the sort of work I have mentioned, the man has no option, but if it is work that can be done by day-work and piece-work I know of no reason why the man's request cannot be met. There are, however, classes of work which are not suitable for piece-work.