§ Sir R. Youngasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether Chinese artisans are employed in His 1523W Majesty's Ship "Medway," Hong Kong; if so, will he state the terms and conditions of their employment; and whether engine-room artificers work with them and are in charge of and responsible for the work done?
§ Mr. ShakespeareChinese civilian artisans who are volunteers drawn from His Majesty's Dockyard, Hong Kong, are at present employed in His Majesty's Ship "Medway" under agreement, the terms of which are as follow:
- (i) Engagement for one year in the first instance, with option if suitable of re-engaging for further periods of one year.
- (ii) Wages at ordinary dockyard rates for a six-day week, plus 40 per cent, thereof, to cover all time worked.
- (iii) Accommodation on board and medical attendance free of charge.
- (iv) Victualling allowance of 11 dollars a month.
- (v) Free issue of uniform.
- (vi) Employment to be on China Station only. If in certain circumstances the ship has to move to another station, the men would be required to go with the ship and remain in her until such time as arrangements could be made for reliefs.
Their work is supervised by engine room artificers as foremen or chargemen.
These men are treated as dockyard workmen detached for duty afloat. On satisfactory completion of their engagement they may, if they so desire, return to their former dockyard service and time served in His Majesty's Ship "Medway" will count for all purposes as dockyard service.