HC Deb 25 October 1950 vol 478 c2782
32. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken to improve the wages of labourers in His Majesty's dockyards.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Walter Edwards)

The wages of labourers in His Majesty's dockyards are determined by negotiations on the Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council for Government Departments which has under consideration various claims made by the trade unions. It would be inappropriate for me to attempt to forecast the outcome of the negotiations now proceeding on these matters.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Is the hon. Gentleman of the opinion that £4 15s. a week is sufficient for a labourer to raise a family at a time when the cost of living is sky-rocketing, unofficially?