HC Deb 18 May 1915 vol 71 cc2157-9W
Sir GEORGE YOUNGER

asked the Home Secretary whether he will print, in answer to this question, the letter of instructions issued by him to the reporters upon the causes of lost time in munitions, shipbuilding, and transport areas?

Mr. McKENNA

The following points were suggested for the consideration of the investigators in the inquiry into the alleged loss of time in the shipbuilding trades:—

It is alleged that the output is insufficient and might be considerably increased. To what may the deficiency of output be attributed? Is it due wholly or in part to:—

1. (a) Workers being overtired;

(b) Workers earning such good wages that they can afford to idle on certain days;

(c) Drinking habits—not necessarily drunkenness—e.g., drinking on the way to work in the morning or in the evening in the case of night shifts, or drinking freely at night so that the workman does not turn up promptly for work next morning).

2. If drink is a principal or contributory factor:—

  1. (a) Is the drink beer or spirits? Has the recent increase of duty on beer had the effect of turning beer drinkers into spirit drinkers? (This applies to England and not to Scotland.)
  2. (b) What are the public-house hours, and at what hours does drinking take place?
  3. (c) If public-houses were closed during these hours, would situation be met; or, if not, what remedy is suggested—total prohibition or something short of total prohibition?

3. It has been suggested that trade union restrictions may affect output, e.g., if one member of a squad stays out for a quarter (i.e., until breakfast or a quarter of a day) does that prevent the other members of the squad from going on with their work?

Is there any trade union restriction of the amount of work a man may do in a day—e.g., it is alleged that in some yards when men have "earned their money" or "made their number" there is an unwritten trades union rule that more work may not be done that day?

4. Are there any restrictions on the part of the employers?

5. Double pay is given in some yards for work done on Sundays. Do the lazy work on Sunday and do no work for a couple of days afterwards?

6. Is there reason to think that the men, have become over-fatigued, and consequently stale, by seven days a week work continued for a long period?

7. Is there sufficient supervision to ensure effective working?

8. Is there bad timekeeping, and, if so, what are the reasons for it? If men are earning really good money there must be sustained application on their part or their earnings would not be so large.

The investigators were also given the following summary of statements made by the employers and the workmen respectively:—

EMPLOYERS. WORKERS.
1. Drink is responsible for 80 per cent. of the present avoidable loss of time. 1. Drink is the trouble of only a small minority. But these men, who are as troublesome to their fellows as they are a hindrance to work, might be eliminated.
Charges of drunkenness are often brought. When investigated, however, 80 per cent. of them prove to be untrue.
2. The "drinking habit" is responsible for mere loss than actual drunkenness.
3. Excessive drinking is followed by a period of indisposition to work.
4. The average time worked in the whole establishment is not necessarily a true indication of the whole output. If the time worked in certain important branches is below the average, the whole output suffers. 4. Shipyard riveters (and probably other workers) lose time through defect in piece-work squads. If the squad is short by one absentee, the squad cannot carry on.
5. There are serious irregularities of attendance—a day here and half a day there—two or three times a week. 5. Extraordinary overtime is being attempted. This cannot be maintained, and only incapacitates the men.