HC Deb 17 February 1943 vol 386 cc1722-3
29. Mr. Gallacher

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has considered the telegram sent to him by engineers of John Brown's, Clydebank, requesting an inquiry into their wage conditions; and what steps he is taking in the matter?

Mr. Alexander

Yes, Sir. Wages conditions are matters for negotiation through the recognised machinery set up in the industry and the engineers at Messrs. John Brown's have therefore been advised to raise the matter with their accredited trade union representatives.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the First Lord of the Admiralty aware that this matter has been referred to the appropriate trade union for the last three months and that they are still negotiating, with the result that I have here a long telegram in which the men are threatening to down tools; that the engineers in John Brown's on Clydebank are coming out of their work with less than £3 a week—they are highly skilled engineers—and that that is why they sent a telegram to the right hon. Gentleman which they tell me he has not replied to? I want to know what action the right hon. Gentleman is going to take to try and meet that difficulty.

Mr. Alexander

The answer to that telegram was sent on 12th February, a copy of which I have here and which I shall be glad to show my hon. Friend after Question time. I would say that they have been advised to put the matter into the hands of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union, and I am quite sure that that union will adequately represent their case.

Mr. Kirkwood

The fact remains that this matter has been in the hands of our union for three months. It is a very serious matter, and nobody knows better than the First Lord of the Admiralty that engineers in John Brown's threaten to stop work because the time rates are of such a character—

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Colonel Clifton Brown)

The hon. Member is not asking a question; he is making a statement.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this situation is something entirely different from the ordinary negotiations of wage rates, that men who have been paid high wages have been transferred to John Brown's, that now, as a result of taxation, skilled engineers are coming out with less than £3 a week, and that negotiation on wage rates is not going to affect that situation, as it is a matter for inquiry by the Admiralty and the Minister of Labour? Is the Minister aware of that?

Mr. Alexander

I feel sure that my hon. Friend will agree that the only basis upon which we can make progress is for the Admiralty to negotiate through the accredited trade union of the men; that is the advice I have given them, and I can add thing to that to-day. I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall give the matter all our best and most urgent attention.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will not the First Lord of the Admiralty consider the advisability of coming down to Clydebank and having a talk with the engineers to see whether the matter can be straightened out?