Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails in the Royal dockyards regarding the manner in which the arrears of increased pay are being paid; whether he will take steps to expedite the payment; and whether he is aware that the increase is only being paid on a 48-hour week, though many of the men have worked 60 or 70 hours per week?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn respect of the increases in rates of wages which were granted in replies to the workmen's petitions, and announced in February last, the Admiralty decision was that the increases should take effect as from the 1st October in so far as they related to ordinary time wages. So far as is known, there has not been any general delay in making the back payments, but any particular cases in which there has been delay could be investigated if brought to notice. I may observe that since the increases in wages in question were granted emergency increases have been granted on the award of the Committee on Production.