§ 90. Mr. Awberyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Labour Ordinance and Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, which applies to employees and employers of Singapore, does not apply to men employed at the naval base, Singapore; and if he will take steps to see that these men have equal protection with other workers.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasI ssume that the hon. Member is referring to the Straits Settlement Labour Ordinance of 1st October, 1923, and the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance of 1st October, 1933. On the whole, current Admiralty practice confers on the locally entered employees of the Naval Base, Singapore, greater benefits than they would derive from these two Ordinances.
§ Mr. Awberyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps are being taken to encourage the growth of democratic trade unionism in the naval base at Singapore; what progress has been made in setting up a joint committee for dealing with industrial problems; how many meetings took place during 1953; and if he will consider appointing a trade union adviser for the naval base.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe United Kingdom-based staff at Singapore have the normal joint consultative arrangements. The locally-entered staff are represented by two unions, both of which are recognised by the naval authorities.
The locally-entered non-industrials already have a joint consultative council and a draft constitution for a similar body for the locally-entered industrials will shortly be discussed with the union concerned.
Seven meetings of joint bodies took place in 1953, and two formal meetings with the union representing the locally-entered industrial employees. In addition, informal discussions with the employees' representatives took place frequently.
46WAs regards the last part of the Question, the Commodore Superintendent already has staff to advise him on these matters and I see no necessity to add further advisers.
§ Mr. Awberyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what powers he has delegated to the captain of the dockyard and naval base, Singapore, to deal with industrial matters; and in what circumstances the captain of the dockyard is required to send these problems home for decision.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe Commodore Superintendent, to whom I assume the hon. Member is referring, has the normal powers entrusted to a superintendent of a naval dockyard. The matters on which he seeks higher authority are governed to some extent by regulation, to some extent by custom and to some extent they are a matter for his judgment. In addition to the normal powers, however, certain additional powers in relation to the pay and conditions of service of locally entered civilians have been delegated by the Admiralty to the naval authorities on the Far East Station.