§ 17. Mr. STEPHENasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now state the result of the inquiry by his inspector into the wage rates paid by Jamieson and Company, Riversdale Street, Glasgow, who are on the Admiralty list; what wages are paid to lads taking up work with the firm, the annual increments being paid in such cases; whether all workers with five years' service or more are being paid the full journeyman's rate of wages on the standard recognised by the trade union concerned; and whether he is assured that trade union conditions are being fully observed?
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)The promised inquiry into the wages rates paid by Messrs. Jamieson and Company has now been made and shows that the firm are satisfying the requirements of the Fair Wages Clause. They are, therefore, eligible in every way to receive Admiralty contracts which are within their capacity. It would be contrary to Admiralty practice to disclose the actual wages paid, but I may say, however, that the suggestion in the hon. Member's question of 12th March that boys of 16 years of age were being paid 9s. per week is not confirmed. Under trade union conditions, the practice is to pay full journeyman's rates after six years' apprenticeship, not after five years as stated by the hon. Member, and the inquiry showed that the full journeyman's rate is paid to all workers entitled to receive it.
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the hon. Gentleman say why a lad who has nearly 11 years' service is not receiving full journeyman's pay? Is he aware that I have been informed by the father of this lad that he has been nearly 11 years in service at these works and is not receiving journeyman's pay yet; and will he have inquiry made into that case?
§ Mr. LINDSAYI have made careful inquiries into this case, and I am satisfied that all those entitled to receive that rate of pay are receiving it at the present time.
§ Mr. KELLYOn what basis have the Admiralty agreed to six years' apprentice- 890 ship in Scotland before the journeyman's rate is paid?
§ Mr. LINDSAYThis has been the practice for a good many years.