§ 2. Mr. WILLIAM HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided to make any change in the working conditions at the Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory; if so, what is the nature of the change and the date from which it will operate; and whether it is to be regarded as a permanent or temporary change?
§ Mr. SHAWI am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a reply which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave on 1st April to the right hon. Member for Woolwich West (Sir K. Wood) and the hon. Member for Woolwich East (Mr. Snell).
§ 17. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the estimated savings which will be effected, respectively, by the institution by the Government of short time at Woolwich Arsenal and piece-work at the Enfield factory; whether the minimum wage is affected; and what will be the reduction in the earnings of the lower-paid workers?
§ Mr. SHAWThe reduction of expenditure at the two factories in consequence of the anticipated shortage of work during the current financial year cannot at this stage be stated with precision, 1927 but it is calculated that it may amount to about £100,000 at Woolwich and £35,000 at Enfield. As regards the second part of the question, no variation of the present wage-rates for any class of labour is involved. As regards the third part, at Woolwich the normal loss in weekly earnings of a time-work labourer on the minimum factory rate will be 3s. 10d., representing the hours on Saturday morning for which work will not be available for him. The earnings of piece-workers who form the majority of operatives, depend upon effort and it is impossible to forecast accurately the precise effect of reduced hours upon such earnings. At Enfield, where the time-workers are not affected, the fall in weekly earnings of men hitherto on piece-work will range from about 13s. to 23s., representing the difference between recent piece-work earnings and time wages for a full week.
§ Sir K. WOODIs it a fact that under the action which the Government have taken the wages of the poorer-paid labourers at Woolwich will be reduced to £2 3s. 10d. a week?
§ Sir K. WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Financial Secretary has refused to see the union, which is largely composed of the poorer-paid men, or to receive representations on their behalf?
§ Mr. SHAWI am aware that the Financial Secretary has refused to deal with more than one organisation in this matter.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that in a matter that so seriously affects such a large body of people he should be willing to receive a deputation from any body of men who desire to put their views before him?
§ Mr. SHAWNo, I think it is essential that the body which represents the whole of the different classes of workers should be the body to negotiate for the workers as a whole.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONThen will the right hon. Gentleman say why he did not consult the secondary schools in the other matter?