HC Deb 22 March 1934 vol 287 c1387
53. Mr. RALPH BEAUMONT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the reductions in the wages of women cleaners in Portsmouth Dockyard, brought into force by Admiralty Order L.6,135/33, of 23rd January, 1934, amount to a cut of 20 per cent. to 25 per cent.; and whether, in view of the small amount of money saved, he will reconsider the whole matter?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 19th March, the wages of these employés were last reviewed in 1922 and the present reduction, which has been accepted by the trade union side of the shipbuilding trade joint council for Government Departments, has been made on the basis of fair wages principles. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that it is not possible to give preferential treatment to any one section of employés and I therefore regret that the decision cannot be reconsidered.