HC Deb 31 March 1919 vol 114 c878
83. Mr. J. DAVISON

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the workmen at Rosyth Dockyard contemplate ceasing work in consequence of the refusal of his Department to concede the 47-hours working week in conformity with the agreement arrived at between employers and workmen in the engineering and shipbuilding trades; and whether it is the intention of the Government to apply the 47-hours week to these workmen?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Under Admiralty letter of the 3rd January, the 47-hours week was applied in His Majesty's Dockyards and industrial establishments generally. It is so applied in the case of the Rosyth Dockyard. The work in question, however, is special construction work (excavation, concrete and timbering), which requires to be done continuously. It is not, therefore, possible in this case to apply a 47-hours week; partly, I may say, because of the inconvenience of train accommodation, amongst other things. But, of course, any man who works more than forty-seven hours a week is paid overtime.

Mr. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are two foundries in the dockyards, one of which is under Government control and the other under the control of a private contractor, and that the men engaged under the private contractor are working fifty-five and a half hours a week?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The forty-seven hours has been applied to the foundry under our control since 3rd January. I understood that the question had reference to constructional work, which must be continuous. I will discuss that with my hon. Friend. Perhaps we are at cross purposes. But as regards the contractor, unless he was a member of the federation which was a party to the agreement as to the forty-seven hours I think we can only deal with it under the Fair-wages Resolution, under which we have to be satisfied that he is conforming generally to the practice that would apply to competent workmen.

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