13. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the Swansea district secretary of the General Workers' Union sent in an application to the manager of a certain tube works for an advance of wages in December last, when the Minister of Munitions refused to allow the matter to be considered; if he is aware that, in consequence of a protest from the union, they have allowed the management to consider the petition concerning men earning less than 50s. per week; if he is aware that thousands of wage-earners in the engineering and shipbuilding trades in the different parts of the country who are earning more than 50s. per week have received an advance of 12s.; if he can give any reasons why he is vetoing the claims of the men who are receiving over 60s. per week; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is the fact that an application which was not a joint one from the firm and the men was received by me, as stated by my hon. Friend in December. In view of the fact that under the Local Conciliation Agreement the rates of wages had been established by arbitration as recently as November, I did not feel able to consider the application at that date. I have, however, recently indicated that I would give sympathetic consideration to a proposal to modify the existing bonuses of the men under the 50s. limit, both as to the amount and as to the limit of earnings. As regards the last part of the question the facts are that the increases obtained by the men over 50s. have varied considerably from less than 12s. to sums over 30s. In these circumstances it 14 seemed the right course to allow these cases to be dealt with by the machinery of the Local Conciliation Board.
Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction in connection with the management of these tube works in consequence of the embargo on the munitions workers, and will he consider the advisability of withdrawing that embargo, so-that there can be a reconsideration of the matter by arbitration or by being sent on to the committee?
§ Dr. ADDISONPerhaps the hon. Member will give me further particulars? I have no knowledge of any embargo at all up to 50s. There is no embargo.
Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is an embargo placed upon the men—that is to say, that none of the men receiving more than 50s. will be allowed to be considered by the management?
§ Dr. ADDISONIf the hon. Member will read my answer he will see that I said that cases over 50s. have to be referred to the local conciliation board.