§ 42. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the firm given the contract for the construction of the underground storage depot at Crombie, West Fife, is paying wages at the rate of 11½d. per hour; that there is also complaint of excessive overtime for which proper remuneration is not given; and will he inquire into conditions at this undertaking and ensure that the generally recognised rate for such work is paid and that overtime is reduced to a minimum?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)The contractors have paid wages at the rate of one shilling per hour since 27th February. The hours worked are those provided for in the Working Rule Agreement of the Civil Engineering Construction Conciliation Board for Great Britain for men engaged on tunnels, double-shift work. The only departure is that one half-hour overtime has been worked by 30 surface men to obviate waiting for an omnibus after ceasing work: the remuneration for this is being investigated, and the result will be communicated to the hon. Member.