HC Deb 09 February 1955 vol 536 cc1874-6
9. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the rates of pay payable to civilian waiters at the Seaton Snook Radar Station; and how these rates of pay and conditions of service compare with rates paid by good employers in the district.

Mr. Ward

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a comparison between the conditions of service of a civilian waiter at Seaton Snook and the provisions for a waiter in a licensed restaurant laid down in the Order made under the Catering Wages Act. I think that, when he has studied them, the hon. Member will agree that our conditions compare very well with what is done outside.

Mr. Jones

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are civilian waiters in this R.A.F. station who, after paying their travelling expenses, have less than £5 10s. a week on which to live and maintain a family, and does he think that is reasonable in present circumstances?

Mr. Ward

I can only ask the hon. Gentleman to compare these rates with the minimum laid down for waiters in the area. May I ask the hon. Gentleman to read the figures first and then, if he is not satisfied, I shall be happy to go into the matter further.

Mr. Driberg

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether the wages of these

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF A CIVILIAN WAITER AT R.A.F. STATION, SEATON SNOOK AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE CURRENT WAGES REGULATION ORDER FOR LICENSED RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND LICENSED RESTAURANTS MADE UNDER THE CATERING WAGES ACT
— Civilian Waiter at R.A.F. Station, Seaton Snook Minimum laid down for Waiters in the Area in the current Wages Regulation Order
Pay … 128s. a week. 110s. a week.
Working week … 44 hours spread over five days. 48 hours spread over six days.
Sunday work … Double time whether or not within working week. No special rate for Sunday, but double time for work done on the weekly rest day.
Overtime … Calculated on a daily basis, the first hour at time and a quarter, thereafter at time and a half. Calculated on a weekly basis, the first six hours at time and a quarter, thereafter at time and a half.
Leave … Two weeks. One week for first year, thereafter two weeks.
10. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why, after only some eight months in use, it became necessary at considerable public expense to make extensive alterations to the bar in the officers' mess at Seaton Snook Radar Station; and what was the total cost to public funds of the alterations.

Mr. Ward

The only alteration made was quite a small one; and it was not made at public expense.

Mr. Jones

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House who paid for taking out the old installations, for putting in a false ceiling, for panelling the entire room, and who paid the wages of the two joiners employed by the Air Ministry who spent five weeks in doing this job?

Mr. Ward

I have been into this matter and my information is that the only work civilian waiters were subjected to the recent cut of £1 a week imposed on waiters elsewhere?

Mr. Ward

I should like to have notice of that question; I am afraid I do not know.

Sir C. Taylor

Is not the Air Ministry bound also by the Catering Wages Act, and is there any obligation on these waiters to serve snook?

Mr. Ward

Our rates are fixed administratively, bearing in mind the wishes of the Grading Committee of the Miscellaneous Trades Joint Council.

Following is the comparison:

done was to remove a partition in the bar to make it more convenient for those who use it. The estimated cost was £60, and it was all paid for out of the mess funds.