§ 29. Mr. Robert Gibsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that 27½; per cent. of the coppersmiths engaged at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory at Greenock and the supplementary establishment at Alexandria are receiving 4s. 10½d. per week less than the standard rate paid to such workers in the Scottish area; and whether he will take steps to have this inequality removed and the standard rate paid to these Greenock and Alexandria coppersmiths?
Mr. CooperIt is the policy of the Admiralty to apply common standards of pay and conditions of employment to all workpeople serving in their industrial establishments at home rather than to adopt for each particular trade in each particular district those current in corresponding employment outside. In accordance with this policy the rates of pay of coppersmiths in the Admiralty establishments at Greenock and Alexandria are the same as those of coppersmiths in His Majesty's dockyards and compare favourably with the generality of rates paid in comparable industries elsewhere. Having regard to the Admiralty policy on wage regulation, I am unable to accept the suggestion that coppersmiths at Greenock and Alexandria should alone be singled out for special treatment.
§ Mr. GibsonAs the standard rate of pay in those districts is insisted upon in the case of sub-contractors, does it not seem a little odd that a lower rate of pay should be available for the workers in the torpedo factories?
Mr. CooperI have explained the principle to the hon. and learned Gentleman. It has been suggested that if the workers in the torpedo factories have a grievance they should bring it up before the council.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the statement made by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Greenock (Mr. Gibson) that coppersmiths are paid about 5s. less than anywhere else, and will he rectify it if he finds that it is the case?