HC Deb 14 January 1918 vol 101 cc7-8
7. Colonel Sir F. HALL

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that since the Order he made giving 12½ per cent. increase to time-workers considerable labour disturbances have arisen; whether there has been any increase in the demand for extension of this bonus to other branches of munition makers, including those engaged on piece-work; whether, before issuing the Order giving the increase in wages, he consulted and acted in harmony with the Ministry of Labour; and, if not, whether he will take care to do so in future and thereby help to avoid difficulties in the engineering trades?

Sir WORTHINGTON EVANS (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions)

The present position so far as the 12½ per cent. bonus is concerned is set out in the official announcement sent to the Press in the course of last week, which states that The Cabinet have decided that the settlement of any claim arising from the recent Orders granting an advance of 12½ per cent. to plain time-workers in the shipbuilding and munitions trades shall be referred to the Ministry of Labour in place of the War Cabinet Labour Committee. And adds that the Ministry of Labour propose to deal with applications on the lines of a resolution passed by the committee of trade unionists advising the Minister of Munitions to the effect that: (1) the bonus shall be extended to cover time-workers who have not yet received the advance in the shipbuilding and munitions trades, and (2) that so far as pieceworkers in these trades are concerned no 12½ per cent, shall be given, but that low piece prices shall be revised.

The Ministry of Labour and the other Departments concerned are actively engaged in settling the matter in accordance with this announcement. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, I have nothing to add to my previous statements, which were to the effect that not only was the Ministry of Labour consulted in this matter, but that the decision was given by the War Cabinet after prolonged consideration and consultation with officials of all Departments involved, including the Committee on Production.

Sir F. HALL

Can my hon. Friend give any idea what is the total cost of this, increase?

Sir W. EVANS

I am afraid I cannot.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. Gentleman present in some intelligible form what changes have been made since the first proposal was made, so that we can appreciate what this 12½ per cent. increase means?

Sir W. EVANS

I think the hon. Member will find if lie looks at the announcement made last week that it is perfectly intelligible.

Mr. HOGGE

Has the hon. Gentleman not noticed himself the various changes which are announced from day to day in the newspapers with regard to this, and cannot he give us a complete statement of what it really means?

Sir W. EVANS

I think the hon. Member must be satisfied with the public announcement which has been made.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that his own Department has calculated that the cost would be £120,000,000?

Sir W. EVANS

No, I am not so aware.