HC Deb 12 March 1917 vol 91 cc706-8
24. Major NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will give the names of the official board of management of the Dublin National Shell Factory and the date of their appointment; and if the capital of this company has been subscribed by public subscription or otherwise and if any part of it is Government-money?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)

The official board of management of the Dublin National Shell Factory was appointed in October, 1915. The members of the board are Captain Kelly, Captain Dowme and Mr. Lewis Gray, all officials of the Ministry of Munitions. The factory has been equipped and is being carried on entirely with Government funds.

Mr. LUNDON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this question and the two next questions are directed against the present lady superintendent of the National Shell Factory, who, according to the admission of the War Office last week is one of the most efficient in their service; is he further aware that this lady has two brothers at the front and that she is the sister-in-law of the late Tom Kettle, and is it fair that she should be pursued by the hon. and gallant Member, whose only gallantry consists in throwing mud at his own fellow-countrymen at the instance of the Marchioness of Waterford?

Major NEWMAN

Should I be in order in saying that I am not asking these questions at the instance of the lady named but on behalf of other ladies who have also lost their brothers at the front. [Hoy. MEMBERS: "Carrion crow!"]

25. Major NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that when the Dublin National Shell Factory was erected a canteen for women was with difficulty started and worked by a band of unpaid and volunteer social workers who have recently been dismissed by the official board of management; and has he been able to ascertain whether their services were dispensed with on the ground of lack of ability, lack of organisation, or any similar reason?

Mr. KELLAWAY

When the canteen at the Dublin National Shell Factory was originally started the management was, as the hon. and gallant Member states, carried on by voluntary workers with certain paid assistance. Increasing difficulties, however, arose in getting sufficient voluntary assistance for work at night and during the summer months, and as a consequence numerous complaints were received from the factory workers as to the management of the canteen. It was on this ground and on the ground of economy that the decision was arrived at to run the canteen in the usual way with a paid staff. My right hon. Friend would like to take this opportunity of expressing his acknowledgment of the services that have been rendered by many of the voluntary workers.

Mr. FLAVIN

Has the hon. Gentleman made inquiries, and, if not, will he make inquiries into the voluntary system, which is of such an unsatisfactory character that girls working on the night shift cannot even get tea?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I think the answer I have given covers the point generally.

26. Major NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the cost of the substitution of paid labour for voluntary and unpaid labour in the munition canteen of the Dublin National Shell Factory will be met out of public funds or from the profits of the canteen itself; and will he give an estimate of the salary that will be paid to the welfare superintendent at the factory, and an estimate of the weekly or monthly, whichever is most convenient, wages of the paid workers?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The additional cost of paid labour, due to the change in the management of the canteen, will be met out of the profits of the canteen. No additional salary will be paid to the welfare superintendent at the factory as a result of the change. It is estimated that about £15 per week will be payable to the canteen employés under the new system of management

Major NEWMAN

Does that include the salary of the superintendent?

Mr. KELLAWAY

It includes all the salaries.

Mr. LUNDON

Will the hon. Gentleman consult the War Office as to the advisability of transferring the hon. and gallant Gentleman from this House and sending him over to the Marchioness of Waterford as a voluntary worker?