HC Deb 03 April 1917 vol 92 cc1112-3
16. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has now considered the granting to women workers in controlled establishments of advances in wages equivalent to those awarded to men by the Committee on Production in order to help to meet the increased cost of living; and whether he is in a position to make a full statement on the whole question?

Mr. KELLAWAY

On receiving the award of the Committee on Production my right hon. Friend referred the question of revising the rates prescribed by Statutory Orders for women and girls to the Special Arbitration Tribunal for advice. He has considered their recommendation, and after consulting representatives of employers and employed as well as the other Government Department affected, has decided to make a new series of Orders which will (1) raise the time-rates now prescribed by paragraph 1 (a) (i) of Order 49 for women on men's work by 4s. per week; (2) raise the time-rates now prescribed by Order 48 for girls under eighteen years on men's work, from ½d. per hour told per hour, according to the length of the working week; (3) raise the time-rates prescribed by Orders 9 and 10 for women over eighteen not on men's work by 1d. per hour when employed on time, and by ¾d. per hour when employed on piece or premium bonus; and for girls of seventeen and under eighteen by ½¼d. per hour when on time and ¼d. per hour when on piece or premium bonus; (4) give similar advances on time-rates to women and girls employed on woodwork for aircraft; (5) and to issue an interim Order prescribing rates of wages for women and girls on general woodwork other than that for aircraft comparable to the increased rates which will be payable on woodwork for aircraft. After the issue of the above Orders the wages of well over 90 per cent, of the women and girls employed in controlled establishments will have been regulated; and the case of the remainder is now under consideration.

Mr. ANDERSON

Do I understand that some of the women will have no more than an advance of a halfpenny per hour?

Mr. KELLAWAY

That will be the case of those who are under eighteen years of age.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

When will the advance date from?

Mr. KELLAWAY

From 8th April.

Mr. ANDERSON

Why not from the 1st April, the same as in the case of the men?

Mr. KELLAWAY

It was impossible to get all the details worked out in time for that.