Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the joiners employed in the dredging department in the Royal dockyards are only being, with two exceptions, paid at the rate of 30s. per week, the foreman receiving 32s. and another man 31s.; whether he is aware that these men do work similar to that done by the joiners in the construction department where the wages are 34s. 6d. per week; and whether he will give instructions that those men must be paid at the same rate as their fellow-workmen in the construction department?
§ Mr. McKENNANo joiners are employed in the dredging department at either of the dockyards, but at Portsmouth (to which the hon. Gentleman's question apparently refers) six carpenters-are engaged in assisting shipwrights at the following rate of pay:—One, at 32s. (not a foreman, as stated in the question); one, at 31s., four, at 30s. The work performed by these carpenters is not similar to that done by joiners in the Constructive Manager's Department.
Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a number of joiners employed in the works department at the Royal dockyards are engaged in March and discharged in September or October; that during this period they work 51 hours per week, for which they are paid at the rate of 32s. per week, while the wage paid by the local builders for a week of 51 hours is 34s. per week, or 8d. per hour; and whether, in view of the promise that the Government would be a model employer, he will take steps to insure that the workmen are paid at least not less than they would receive if employed by a private firm?
§ Mr. McKENNAThere is no rating of joiners in the Works Department, all men of the trade being entered as carpenters. There is no such practice, as is suggested, of men being engaged in March and discharged in October, the number of carpenters employed being necessarily contingent on the works in progress at any particular time. Every effort is made to ensure steady employment for as many men as possible, but some fluctuations are unavoidable, as work varies. The rates are based on the pay of carpenters in the 273W Outside building trade, but the Admiralty are about to consider the conditions of employment of all grades of hired men in this Department.