§ 2. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Financial Secretary has visited Rosyth; if, on the occasion of his visit, he received deputations from the workmen as is his custom at other yards; and, if not, will he explain why the usual procedure was not followed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend is, of course, aware that it has been found necessary during the War to suspend the formal hearing of petitions at the various naval establishments. The workmen fully understand this and loyally appreciate the reason. Nevertheless, on the occasion of my recent visit to Rosyth, I went into a variety, of matters affecting the workmen, and saw a number of them, including those in our employment and in that of the contractors. Both here and elsewhere the workmen are fully aware of the fact that, although the formal hearing of petitions—as I have said—has necessarily been suspended, it remains open to them, should any special occasion arise, to submit to their officers, in the usual way, matters which they desire should receive the attention of the proper authorities, and, if necessary, their officers will forward such submissions to the Admiralty.
§ 3. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, while contractors' workmen are receiving travelling allowances from Edinburgh to Rosyth, men in the employment of the Admiralty and working side by side with contractors' men are not receiving similar payment; and why this discrimination is made?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAdmiralty employés at Rosyth, who reside at Edinburgh, are paid the sum of 6d. a day inconvenience money. Contractors' workmen, generally speaking, are not paid such an allowance, although I understand some contractors, at present carrying out work at Rosyth, do pay such allowance from their head offices to the men they employ at Rosyth.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the question with regard to travelling allowances?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI say that our employés, if they live in Edinburgh, get 6d. a day.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKETravelling allowance?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, 6d. a day.