HC Deb 20 April 1915 vol 71 cc205-6W
Mr. FALLE

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can grant to those dockyard employés who had three months' service at Invergordon previous to Christmas, 1914, the same privileges as to railway passes as was granted to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Naval Division—that is to say, free passes?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Instructions have been issued to the dockyards and to the senior naval officers of the distant places at which dockyard men are employed away from their homes, to the effect that men who have served away from their homes for three months may be given railway passes when it is convenient to grant them leave for the purpose of visiting their homes.

Mr. FALLE

asked if it has been decided to accede to the petition of the established and hired blockmakers, Portsmouth Dockyard, as regards increase of wages and the increase of establishment from six to nine?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The wages of the blockmakers employed at Portsmouth Dockyard have been increased by the amount of the war increase awarded by the Committee on Production in Engineering and Shipbuilding Establishments as from 28th March. No further advance to this class is in immediate contemplation. The numbers to be allowed on the established list are being considered in connection with the general question of distribution of established numbers for all classes employed in the dockyard.

Mr. FALLE

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give the probable date at which the reply to the annual petition of the employés of the Director of Works Department, Portsmouth Dockyard, presented last May, may be expected?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The replies to these petitions, excepting a few minor questions which still remain to be settled, were issued to Portsmouth and other yards on the 5th instant.

Lord C. BERESFORD

asked if the recent increase in wages to joiners employed under the Director of Works will also be given to bricklayers employed in the same department?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The case of the bricklayers employed in the Director of Works Department was considered with those of the other classes of dockyard employés, but having regard to all the circumstances, it is not considered that any increase in the rates for this class is warranted at present. These bricklayers are, however, participating in the recent general emergency advance of 3s. a week to mechanics.

Lord C. BERESFORD

asked whether the Admiralty are going to review the subsistence allowance allowed to workmen who are called upon temporarily to work outside the Home yards, in order that the allowance should be the same to skilled and ordinary labourers as that allowed to mechanics?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The rate of subsistence allowance payable in such cases is dependent upon the rate of pay, all men whose day pay exceeds £100 a year being granted 7s. 6d. for the first fourteen nights and 5s. a night thereafter, and those on a lower scale of pay corresponding payments of 5s. and 3s. 4d. a night. This rate is payable for seven days a week, and is considered to be sufficient to cover all the necessary expenses for board and lodging which it is intended to meet.