§ 25. Major Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that wives in receipt of naval dependants' allowances in the London area get 3s. 6d. a week more than those residing in Portsmouth and in view of the fact that the dockyard workers in Portsmouth have been granted a weekly bonus of 5s. for the extra cost of living, he will now take action to remove this anomaly?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Sir Victor Warrender)The recent increase in the bonus paid to male dockyard workers, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, was made in pursuance of the Government's undertaking to observe in the regulation of the wages of its industrial employés the principles of the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons. This increase was not confined to Portsmouth but was applied throughout the country, and workers in the London area receive a higher rate of bonus than those employed elsewhere. I cannot therefore agree that an anomalous situation has been created which would necessitate the extension to Portsmouth of the additional allowance which is now paid to the dependants of men in the Services, living in the London postal area.
§ Sir J. LucasIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very real sense of grievance in this matter?
§ Sir V. WarrenderIf my hon. and gallant Friend will read the answer, he will see that the grievance is not well founded.