§ 20. Captain W. G. HALLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the pay and conditions of masters and mates of vessels in Admiralty establishments, serving under D. 13 articles of agreement, are very much below those obtaining in vessels engaged in similar work in mercantile marine ports; and, if so, can he indicate 1382 how soon a return will be made to the previously established policy of securing for Admiralty employés rates slightly better than those paid by the best private employers?
§ Mr. G. HALLI would draw the attention of my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on the 11th December. The rates of pay awarded to masters and mates of yard craft are in accordance with the awards of the Industrial Court dated 16th May and 4th July, 1928, and it is not proposed to depart from these awards. The policy of the Admiralty has been to abide by the findings of the Industrial Court.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAMay I ask whether these men were represented at the Industrial Court?
§ Mr. KELLYIn view of the tremendous discrepancy between the amount paid by outside employers and the Admiralty, will the hon. Member go further into the matter?
§ Captain W. G. HALLIs the hon. Member aware that the men in question made many attempts to redress this grievance through the ordinary channels, and, in the light of that, cannot the Admiralty see their way to re-open the matter?
§ Mr. G. HALLThis matter was the subject of a decision by the Industrial Court as late as July of last year, and it is impossible for the Admiralty to interfere with a decision of the Industrial Court.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Member not aware that the men were not represented, and are not represented directly on the Whitley Council?