10. Captain HALLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, when the proposed reductions in the bonus of Admiralty workpeople take effect, the remuneration of these Government servants will be less than the rates paid for comparable employment under private firms; and whether, in view of this fact, the proposed cuts will be reconsidered?
11. Sir R. YOUNGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, before deciding upon the proposed reduction in the industrial bonuses of Admiralty workpeople, any steps were taken to ascertain how these Government servants would be affected in comparison with workpeople in similar employment under private firms; and whether he will give instructions that the matter shall be properly discussed by the appropriate joint council before any further action is taken?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINA special meeting of the Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council for Government Departments was held on the 11th September at which the Chairman explained the reasons for the proposed cuts in the industrial bonuses of Admiralty workpeople. In order to give the trade union side of the council 342 an opportunity of consulting their constituents, the meeting was adjourned till the 22nd. When the meeting was resumed, the trade union side declared that they could not agree to the proposed cuts. Disagreement was registered accordingly and the council was informed that the cuts would be made from 1st October. If the trade union side considered the reductions were inequitable, it was open to them at that time to ask for arbitration but they did not do so. When these reductions take effect, the general level of wage rates in Admiralty industrial establishments will not be lower than in the shipbuilding and engineering industries, and Admiralty work-people will still retain certain privileges which men in these industries do not share, such as the grant of 11 days' leave with pay annually (including public holidays) and the prospect of pensions or gratuities.
§ Mr. KELLYBy whom has the information been given to the right hon. Gentleman that the wage rates in the Admiralty will be equal to those in outside employment in the shipbuilding trade?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI derived the information from various sources, including the award of the arbitrator on the last occasion on which the matter went to arbitration.
§ Mr. KELLYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to make further inquiries so that he may inform himself that they will be 3s. per week below the rates paid in outside employment?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI do not see the necessity for further inquiries, and I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's statement as to the comparative wages inside and outside Admiralty yards.
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNWill the Board of Admiralty reconsider their attitude, especially in regard to the privileges of the staff?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI do not know whether the hon. Member thinks that it is unfair, when they have 11 days holiday for which they are paid, whilst their brethren outside if they get any holiday are not paid for it.
§ 12. Mr. KELLYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware 343 that the Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council was called together to consider a reduction of the standard bonus for Admiralty workpeople from 14s. per week to 12s. and appropriate reductions of the industrial bonuses to other Admiralty workpeople; that when the joint council met the trade union side, upon proceeding to discuss the matter, were informed that the meeting had not been called to argue the merits of the proposal but merely to secure the assent of the trade union side; that this assent was refused, and the trade union side were then informed that the proposed cut would operate from the 1st October; and, seeing that these proceedings gave no opportunity for the negotiations promised before effecting this economy, will he have further inquiry made into this matter?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot accept the hon. Member's account of these discussions and refer him to my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for Central Portsmouth (Captain Hall).
§ Mr. KELLYHaving been present at the particular meeting and relating what transpired there, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if any discretion was given to the officers under his control, so that discussion might take place and the arguments for the trade union side be listened to and an answer given?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe whole case was discussed and the Admiralty arguments were put forward on the first occasion. The trade union side then asked that they should have an opportunity of consulting their constituents. That was given, and they came back and said that they could not agree, and the disagreement was registered and the usual procedure taken.
§ Mr. KELLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his officers stated quite clearly that they had to make a statement and that it had to rest there? No discretion was given.
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Mr. KELLYMay I give notice that it is my intention to raise on the Adjournment the question of Admiralty wages in view of the unsatisfactory reply given to-day?