HC Deb 06 December 1937 vol 330 cc29-30
65. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the deductions at present made from the wages of un-established workers in the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory at Greenock; what is the cost per 1,000 men of making such deductions; what would be the cost per 1,000 men of making the additional deduction for hospitals fund desired by the men; and what are the other Government Departments that prevent these workers systematically paying for the services rendered on their behalf by the Greenock Royal Infirmary?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. Shakespeare)

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Gibson

When will there be arrangements for these deductions to be made, because this matter is becoming one of public scandal in Greenock, as all the public works in Greenock to-day make the deductions? When will they be made at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, in order to restore the self-confidence and self-respect of the workers there?

Mr. Shakespeare

I think the hon. Member has been told that the whole matter is under negotiation now with the National Whitley Council.

Following is the answer:

Deductions are made from the wages of unestablished workmen in the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory for the following objects:

  1. (a) National Health Insurance;
  2. (b) National Unemployment Insurance;
  3. (c) Rents (where the workman is a tenant of an Admiralty house);
  4. (d) Royal Naval Torpedo Factory Hospital Fund (where the workman was a subscriber at the time of issue of the general regulations in 1932);
  5. (e) Royal Naval Torpedo Factory Athletic Fund.

It is not possible to state the cost of making these deductions, or what would be the cost of making the further deductions suggested. The last part of the question must, I think, be based on a misapprehension. The current regulations defining the services for which deductions from pay are permissible for persons employed under the Admiralty are those applicable in all Government Departments. The question of extending these facilities to cover, throughout the Government Service, bodies such as the Hospitals' and Local Charities' Fund of the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory is under consideration on the National Whitley Council.