§ 32 and 33. Mr. Burkeasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will make inquiries with a view to putting an end to the system under which drivers of coaches, hired by his Department in 593 Burnley, receive £7 per week in addition to maintenance, and by which they have had to sleep in the coaches for six weeks past though the coaches have for the most part been standing idle;
(2) whether he is aware that six coaches have been hired by his Department at Burnley, Lancashire, for work at a camp in Yorkshire at a cost of 30s. per day plus drivers' wages at £1 per day, in addition to maintenance while standing, and at a cost of £5 2s. 6d. per day in addition to drivers' keep while running; and will he consider devising a less costly and wasteful method?
§ Mr. EdenIt is necessary that these vehicles should be continuously hired, and the rate of £1 a day, in addition to maintenance, for drivers is that recommended by the National Joint Council for the Omnibus Industry. The rates for the hire of vehicles are under review.
§ Mr. BurkeCannot the Minister find a more economical way of using these vehicles and this man-power? It is a great waste and demoralising for the men to be hanging about week after week, with £40 a week paid when their vehicles are being used and £20 a week when they are standing idle. Would it not be better to have bought these vehicles outright, second-hand?
§ Mr. EdenI fully appreciate all the points put by the hon. Member. It is not an easy question to discuss in public. It is clearly important that these vehicles should be available, and we are using our Army resources and expanding them as rapidly as we can. With regard to rates, they have been agreed upon in the industry itself.
§ Mr. PooleIs it the custom of the Minister's Department to accept rates of pay which have been fixed by interested parties? If the logic of that is carried a little further, why not ask the soldiers what they feel they ought to be paid?