§ 43. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will reconsider the question of the amount of war bonus paid to pensioner clerks, time- 1825 keepers, and temporary hired and women clerks, with a view to placing them on exactly the same basis as other dockyard employés whether he is aware that the adverse discrimination shown is unfair and strongly resented and is causing real dissatisfaction; whether he is aware that the great advance in the cost of living affects all workpeople alike; and whether he can see his way clear to make further inquiry into the matter with a view to meting out equal treatment to all?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am afraid the employés in reference do feel aggrieved. But the amount of the war bonus to be paid to the classes named is not one which the Admiralty have power to determine. Members of these classes receive the same war bonus as is approved by the Treasury for Civil servants generally, subject to a proviso which secures that their ordinary rate of pay plus Civil Service bonus shall not be less that the overriding minima enjoyed by clerks and timekeepers. I understand that representations have recently been made to the Conciliation and Arbitration Board to the effect that the scale of bonuses at present authorised for Civil servants generally is inadequate and that the decision of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board on the point is likely to be announced shortly.
§ Mr. DUNCANMay I ask whether any representations will be allowed
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe clerical staff, I think, have the right of going to the Conciliation Board. The matter is not quite on the same footing as appeals to the Committee on Production.
§ 44. Mr. DUNCANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any maximum rate of pay has been fixed for dockyard time-keepers; and, if so, when it was fixed and the amount thereof?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe peace-time maximum rate of pay for timekeepers is 35s. a week, on the scale of 28s. a week to 35s. a week. This scale is temporarily replaced, for the duration of the War, by an overriding minimum, which has been altered from time to time in order that it may retain a proper relation with the rate of pay of the unskilled labourer. Under this arrangement timekeepers are at present being paid a flat rate of 45s a week. This rate, however, will be revised 1826 in view of the decision which has just been announced to grant a bonus of 121/2 per cent. to dockyard workmen as from the 14th October, 1917. The revised rate approved in consequence of this development will be announced shortly.