HC Deb 15 June 1938 vol 337 cc199-201
16. Mr. Kelly

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the terms of reference to the committee at Malta investigating the conditions of industrial workers employed in Malta by the Admiralty, the War Department, and the Air Ministry; and will facilities be given for the Malta Trade Union Council and the Dockyard Workers Union to give evidence before that committee?

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Colonel Llewellin)

The committee referred to is to act in a purely consultative and advisory capacity and its purpose is to co-ordinate questions relating to the pay and wages of locally entered industrial employés of the three Defence Services in Malta. It is for the committee to decide whether on any occasion it is desirable to take evidence to assist it in its task of co-ordination.

Mr. Kelly

Has any report been made by this consultative body pointing out the inadequate wages paid to our employés in Malta?

Colonel Llewellin

No report has yet been received. The committee has just been set up.

Mr. Kelly

Will the Government go into the whole matter of the wages which are being paid there and remove this discredit to our country?

Colonel Llewellin

The whole matter of the wages of these industrial employés at Malta was thoroughly investigated last year. An official was sent out from the Admiralty and the Board gave full consideration to the wages question, and made a considerable number of alterations.

Mr. Kelly

Are they going to make any more alterations in order to bring these wages to a human level?

Colonel Llewellin

No, Sir, the Board are satisfied that our wages bear a proper relationship to the wages paid in the island.

19. Mr. Kelly

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when publication will be made of the report to the Governor of Malta by the committee which investigated the question of the fees for stevedores and port labour?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

I assume that the hon. Member refers to certain recommendations made by the advisory board appointed by the Governor of Malta under the Malta Hours of Employment Ordiance. The Governor was advised that it was not possible to give effect to these recommendations under the powers conferred by that Ordinance. The questions of publication of the recommendations and also of enacting special legislation to enable the recommendations to be put into effect are now under consideration.

Mr. Kelly

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the method of paying these wages, and see to it that the men themselves receive the wages, instead of having them handed over to somebody else who deducts a portion?

Mr. MacDonald

I answered a Written Question on that subject recently and, I think, I indicated that the matter was receiving consideration.

Mr. Paling

In view of what has just happened in Jamaica and Trinidad, will the right hon. Gentleman see that legislation to enable these recommendations to be put into operation is introduced immediately?

Mr. MacDonald

It is under consideration now.

Mr. J. J. Davidson

Can we have any indication of whether the report will be made available to Members, and when it is likely to be ready?

Mr. MacDonald

I will see that the House has the information in the proper form.

Mr. Leach

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many things are now under his consideration, giving it to the nearest thousand?