§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is widespread regret in Greenock owing to the delay in making effective the decision to permit the contributions of all industrial and non-industrial workers in the torpedo factory so desiring it, for hospital fund, to be collected by deduction from their pay; and whether he will take steps to enable such contributions to be collected forthwith and distributed in accordance with the wishes of the said contributors?
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§ Mr. Shakespeare:No official representations have been received in the sense of the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I regret that it is not possible to arrange for the collection of the contributions in advance of the general scheme which is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that under present conditions Admiralty industrial employés returning from overseas dockyards after two or more years' service therein are not allowed any leave with pay, apart from the one day which elapses between their arrival and reporting at their home yard; and whether arrangements can be made for these employés to receive leave with pay on the same lines as is accorded to naval ratings on returning from a foreign station?
§ Mr. Shakespeare:On return to his home yard after a period of service abroad, a workman may be granted from one to three days' leave with pay in order to find accommodation. He is also allowed to accumulate up to 12 days' leave while serving abroad, to be taken on his arrival in this country. I cannot accept the implication that the conditions of service of agreement workmen can properly be compared with those of naval ratings, nor can I agree to amend the regulations in the way suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.