§ 48. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that at a meeting of the Government Established Employés Benefit Society, at Devonport, the view was expressed that reasonable machinery should be set up whereby that society, as a distinct class of employés under the Crown, should have a voice in the affairs of their employment and should have a right to sit on yard committees; and whether he can give effect to this desire?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Whilst it is our desire that all employés shall have reasonable facilities for ventilating questions concerning their conditions of employment with the Departmental authorities, it is not practicable to adopt this particular suggestion.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, when the Trade Union Bill is passed into law, this is the only type of society that will be recognised by the Admiralty, and cannot he see that they are able to make representations as to their grievances?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI think it will be more suitable to discuss what will happen after the Trade Union Bill is passed, when the Bill is passed.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs there not another trade union that this Government will recognise— that of the lawyer fraternity?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in the meantime, established men belonging to this society are being discharged, and that they want a proper constitutional means of representing their grievances?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMIt is always possible for these men to apply to their local officers to put questions to the Admiralty if they so wish.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these people are dissatisfied with their present means of representation, and is there anything 579 wrong in their having representation of this description, by means of which they can communicate with their employers?
§ Mr. KELLYAre we to understand that these established workers have not representation at the present time through their trade union?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThey have.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI think the employés to whom the hon. Member is referring are not members of trade unions.
§ Mr. KELLYWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman apply to his own Department, where he will find they were represented only this morning?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at least 300 men in Devonport belong to this association and to no other trade union?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it fair that we on these benches should be giving this Government so much value?
§ 49. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has seen a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting held by the Government Established Employés Benefit Society, at Devonport, stating that the meeting of established employés, fully representative of all trades and grades employed in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, expressed its amazement at the issue of notices of discharge to established employés, and respectfully requested that the whole matter be reconsidered by the Admiralty with a view to the withdrawal of all notices issued; and whether he intends to take any steps to give effect to this resolution?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.
§ 50. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is now the intention of his Department to utilise the dockyard plant at Devon-port for the production or repair of constructions other than ships?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMIf the hon. Member is referring to naval work other than the repair or construction of ships, it is the intention to give the dockyards 580 every opportunity to tender for productive work which they are capable of undertaking.