§ 50. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the cost of making the weekly deductions for sport from the wages of the unestablished workers at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory at Greenock; what would be the additional cost of making a further deduction from the wages of these workers for hospital fund purposes; and whether he has any 864 statement to make as to when arrangements will be made for the making of such deductions for hospital fund purposes?
Mr. CooperIt is not possible to state the cost of making weekly deductions from the wages of workpeople at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock. The work is carried out as part of the ordinary duty of calculating and issuing wages; clearly, however, some extra work is involved for each transaction and the total is directly proportionate to the number of objects for which deductions are made, and the number of contributors. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on 27th January last.
§ Mr. GibsonIs it the case that an additional deduction for hospital fund purposes would be a small matter?
§ Mr. GibsonIf that is the case, will the First Lord keep in mind that the Greenock Royal Infirmary is losing a great deal every month because this deduction is not made from these workers, whereas at every other works in Greenock run by private owners such deductions are made? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make arrangements for this deduction to be made?