§ 28. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the yardscraftsmen in His Majesty's dockyards have had a grievance regarding the number of hours worked in comparison with the very low wages received, he will state whether it is the policy of his Department not to remedy any grievance unless and until a decision has been taken by the Whitley Council upon it; whether he will state the last occasion upon which the Whitley Council 1228 discussed the grievance of the yardcraftsmen; and what representation the yard-craftsmen have upon the said Council?
§ Mr. HODGESAs regards the first part of the question, the Admiralty policy is not as suggested; a grievance of a grade of yardcraftsmen was discussed on the Industrial (Whitley) Council on 15th April last; the yardcraftsmen are represented by the officials of several trade unions on the trade union side of the Council.
§ Mr. B. SMITHIs it not a fact, with regard to the particular Whitley Council, that the procrastination that goes on there is a living scandal? Men are working 100 hours a week for £2 4s.