§ 8. Miss Vickersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state what are the average earnings in 2083 Her Majesty's dockyards of mechanics, skilled labourers, and labourers, respectively; and what percentage of the industrial employees are able to participate in incentive payments by results and fixed schemes of prices, respectively.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIn the latest week for which figures are available, average earnings of men in the professional departments of the four main dockyards were £10 11. 6d. I regret that separate figures for mechanics, skilled labourers and labourers are not available.
About 40 per cent. of the work of the professional departments is paid for under schemes of payment by result. Many more than 40 per cent. of the workpeople work under these schemes from time to time.
§ Miss VickersWhilst realising that this matter is really one for the trade unions, may I ask my hon. Friend if he is aware of the fact that these unskilled labourers are trying to live on under £7 a week when it has been stated that the average figure for manual labour in the country is about £9? Are any negotiations going en in an effort to improve their circumstances?
§ Mr. DigbyThe hon. Lady should draw a distinction between the wage packet and wage rates. Wage rates compare well with those outside, but there is, on the whole, less overtime worked in the dockyards.