§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked (he First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, according to Board of Trade Returns, shipwrights and patternmakers are the two highest-paid trades outside His Majesty's dockyards; and why the conditions in His Majesty's dockyards differ from those prevailing outside, seeing that the Admiralty are guided by the rates paid by private firms in determining the rates of wages in His Majesty's dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think the statement made in the first part of the question is entirely in accordance with the facts. With regard to the latter part of the question, I am afraid I can add nothing to the detailed reply which I gave the Noble Lord on 20th November.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is no similar work such as battleship construction done by shipwrights of private firms in the localities of His Majesty's dockyards, the only work done by these firms being boats, tugs, barges, etc.; and whether the Admiralty will pay shipwrights employed in His Majesty's dockyards at the same rate of wages as that prevailing where battleships are built by private firms?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am generally familiar with the character of the shipyard work done by private firms in the localities of His Majesty's dockyards. With regard to the second part of the question, I am afraid I can add nothing to the detailed reply which I gave the Noble Lord on the 20th November.