§ 77. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to give a reply to the letter addressed to him by the Dockyard Members Parliamentary Committee on 29th June last, dealing with the position of surveyors of stores agents?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The letter my hon. Friend refers to related to the petitions of the mechanics employed on the examination of stores in His Majesty's dockyard, and was dated 29th July. The matter has been under consideration in connection with the petitions received from the class of employés on whose behalf the letter was written, and also a petition from the recorders. A reply will be sent to the petitioners and to my hon. Friend at an early date.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the right hon. Gentleman give an answer—four months is a rather long time?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAFour months is an exaggeration—it is three months I think.
§ 78. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received a petition from agreement workmen employed at His Majesty's dockyard and establishments at Gibraltar referring to an increase in wages due to the higher cost of living and the fall in the rate of exchange; whether he is aware that these men state that, notwithstanding the £1 war bonus, they are nearly 20 pesetas worse off than in pre-war days; and will he state, if the petition has been received, the nature of the reply sent?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA petition of the nature referred to was received, and a reply was sent in Admiralty letter of 13th September approving the payment in pesetas of 75 per cent. of emoluments not exceeding £300 a year, at the rate of 25 pesetas to the £1, and 50 per cent. of any emoluments exceeding £300 at the same rate. I may add, for the information of my hon. Friend, that the war increases in wages for the employés in question now amount to 23s. 6d. a week, and that the 12½ per cent. on earnings is also paid in their case.