§ 3. Mr. Barnettasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty when he will take action on the question of wages for industrial employees in Admiralty establishments.
§ Mr. HayNegotiations are still proceeding with the trades unions on this matter. I am not in a position to forecast exactly when they will be concluded.
§ Mr. BarnettIs the Civil Lord aware that these negotiations have been going on since the beginning of this year and that these industrial workers are paid about 25s. a week less than industrial workers doing similar work in private yards? Can the hon. Gentleman do something to speed up the negotiations, since these men are having to work overtime in order to earn a living wage?
§ Mr. HayWith respect, the hon. Gentleman over-simplifies a highly complicated wage structure. I think that I had better stick to my Answer. We hope that the negotiations will be brought to a successful conclusion fairly soon.