§ 11. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring average wages for Her Majesty's Dockyards both for skilled and unskilled workers up to the national average.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu)The latest available figures of national average earnings are for April, 1964, when they were 12 £17 12s. 5d. for 47.8 hours. The dockyard figure for the same date was £17 ls. 9d., also for 47.8 hours. In drawing any comparison it is necessary to take into account the value of superior fringe benefits enjoyed by the dockyard worker which, in fact, makes him better off than the average man nationally.
§ Brigadier ClarkeDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that his party has a very bad record in the dockyards, that between 1945 and 1950 the wages of both skilled and unskilled rose by 6s. whereas under the Conservative Government they rose by 10s. a year? Neither is enough, and I hope the hon. Gentleman will do something more for the dockyards.
§ Mr. MallalieuI find from the reception in the dockyards to the change of Government that it has been very much to the delight of the people who work there.