§ Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the mesengers employed at the Admiralty have, in the case of those doing special duties, to work sixty hours before they receive overtime pay; and whether he will arrange that these men are paid overtime rates for all time over forty-eight hours, as laid down in the conditions of employment dated 8th July, 1915?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe men referred to receive special rates of duty pay which in normal times covers all overtime worked. The payment to them of overtime in excess of sixty hours a week is a concession during the War and is considered sufficient. The basic rates of pay, namely, 24s. a week normally, and 24s. to 27s. 6d. a week for a proportion, were fixed by the Treasury in April, 1915, being based on the recommendations contained in the Fourth Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service. The rates of duty pay, which are also determined by the Treasury, vary in amount according to i the nature of the duties performed, and926W were not adjudicated upon by the Royal Commission. These rates are 5s., 10s., and 15s. per week.