§ 6. Mr. HOGGEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a recent Admiralty Order, stating that in the future no temporary clerks engaged for work in Admiralty offices are to be paid the increase of 5s. a week hitherto paid after six months' satisfactory work, applies to the male clerks temporarily engaged who are discharged sailors or soldiers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAUntil recently 50 per cent. of the members of the temporary office staffs at outport establishments were paid a rate 5s. a week in excess of the minimum. By Treasury decision this practice has been discontinued, and the decision applies also to those temporary male clerks who are discharged soldiers or sailors.
§ Mr. HOGGEAre we to understand from my right hon. Friend's reply that men who have served their country and are doing the same work are not to receive the same pay as people who have not served at all?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo; what it comes to is this: From the 30th May we cannot pay more than the minimum 51s. Up to the 30th May we were entitled to pay 50 per cent., at a rate 5s., in excess of the minimum.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs not what I say quite correct, that men who have been discharged from the forces and are now doing this work for the Admiralty are not to get the war bonus that other people are getting who have never been in the forces?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think so, but I will certainly make further representations to the Treasury about their decision.
§ Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEIs this for the future or is it retrospective?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe date of the Order is the 30th May, and we have not been able to pay any 5s. since that.
§ 10. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any changes have been recently effected in the Board of Admiralty; and, if so, will he state their nature?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir; the changes were announced in the "London Gazette" published last night. As a sequence to the appointment of Lord Pirrie as Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding and the separation of the work between the merchant and warship side, it was found that as far as the work of the Admiralty Controller is concerned, the production Departments for warships, auxiliary craft, and naval munitions and armament generally were sufficiently strong and sufficiently completely organised to enable the distinguished civilians who have undertaken the control of them to deal direct with the naval member of the Board responsible for requisitioning what they produce. It has, therefore, been decided to eliminate a separate controller, whose original appointment was necessary in order to organise production; and to place these Departments with their existing civilian heads in direct touch with the Third Sea Lord, who will resume as well the title of Controller.
The question of co-ordination of labour supply as between the Admiralty Controller's Department and the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding, as also of the priority of materials, has assumed great importance, and Sir Robert Horne, who is in charge of these matters has therefore been placed upon the Board, with the title of Third Civil Lord. The composition of the Board as between naval and civilian members therefore remains unaltered.
On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I would like to make public acknowledgment of the debt of gratitude which the Admiralty owes to Sir Alan Anderson for the very valuable and efficient service which he has performed, and for the great development of production during his 323 period of office as Controller. Sir Alan Anderson has had the invaluable technical advice and co-operation of Rear-Admiral Lionel Halsey, who is leaving the Admiralty to take up an important command at sea, and to whose services as Third Sea Lord my right hon. Friend, the First Lord, wishes to pay a warm tribute.
Captain Bartolomé, lately with the Grand Fleet, takes up the duties of Third Sea Lord and Controller under the new arrangement.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the right hon. Gentleman say what are the precise duties of Sir Robert Home?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes. He has been and will continue to be in charge of labour and material, but I will give my right hon. Friend the detailed distribution of business with which he is familiar.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs Sir Robert Horne responsible for the construction of naval ships, and has he any experience of shipbuilding?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think Sir Robert Home is responsible for the design of naval ships. That will be a matter for the Third Sea Lord. He is and will remain responsible for labour and material.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill he be responsible for the out-turn of work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAHe will not be responsible For design. He will be responsible for labour and material, but he will, of course, affect the output, but not the programme or design of ships.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it a fact that he is a Scottish barrister, and what use is a Scottish barrister at the Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have only known Sir Robert Horne since he has been responsible for priority of labour and materials, but, if his ability is questioned. I should say he is of great help, and that the highest opinion is held of his capacity.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that Sir Robert Horne gave up for the public service a very lucrative practice as a barrister?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI was not aware of that.
§ Sir E. CARSONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the particular command to which Admiral Halsey, to whom he has paid such a just tribute, has been appointed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is no harm in saying that he goes back to the Grand Fleet, but I will tell the right hon. Gentleman later the precise command.