§ 61. Mr. Muffasked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Elders and Fyffes, Limited, have not increased the pay of their officers by £2 per month, as agreed to by the National Maritime Board; and whether he will take the necessary steps to enforce the award?
§ Sir J. GilmourI am informed by Messrs. Elders and Fyffes that the rates paid by them to their officers already exceed the standard rates fixed by the National Maritime Board as increased by the recent agreement.
§ Mr. MuffDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the minimum shall become the maximum, and is he going to take no action?
§ Sir J. GilmourI am always ready to investigate any question of complaint, but my information is that they are paying more than is required by the regulations.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the Minister quarrel with what the hon. Gentleman has said, that, if a shipping firm pays to its officers and men something above the standard rate fixed by the Maritime Board, they should not, in war time, accept the new conditions of that Board?
§ Sir J. GilmourMy information is that they have, in fact, accepted them.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not true that they have not paid the additional £2 increase decided upon recently by the National Maritime Board?
§ Sir J. GilmourNo, Sir, because they were already paying it.