§ 13. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the minimum wage in the Gibraltar Dockyard is 13s. 6d. a week, plus 15 per cent, temporary increase for the duration of the War, making 15s. 6d. per week; that the same class of work in the Royal Dockyards in this country is paid at the rate of 25s. per week, plus war bonus 7s., or 32s. per week; seeing that the cost of living at Gibraltar is equally as expensive as here, can he see his way to equalise the payments as to the minimum rates paid to dockyard labourers at Gibraltar and in the home yards; and will he say when the artisans and labourers employed in His Majesty's Dockyard. Gibraltar, may expect a reply to the petition sent in in 1914?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe existing minimum wage for adult male labour is, at Gibraltar, 13s. 6d. a week, plus a war bonus of 15 per cent; and at the home dockyards, 24s. a week, plus a war bonus of 7s. I cannot agree that the cost of living for local entrants at Gibraltar is as high as for workmen of similar grades in this country. As regards the last part of the question, the petition referred to was fully considered, and it was decided that the requirements of the case would more suitably be met by the award of a war bonus than by the grant of permanent increases in the present rates of pay.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhy was not that answer given to the men at Gibraltar instead of being given to the House of Commons two years later?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI imagined it was known; at any rate, the bonus has been given.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men have not been informed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe best reply to that is that they have received the bonus of 15 per cent.
§ Sir C KINLOCH-COOKEAfter two years?