§ Sir WILLIAM COLLINSasked the Minister of Munitions whether the 12½per cent. bonus which has been conceded by the Government to workmen engaged in munition works has also been granted to clerical employés in national factories; and, if so, under what conditions and with what limitations?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe 12½per cent. bonus has not been granted to office clerical staff of national factories, but it may be found necessary in some cases to give some increase of wages or salary as an indirect result of the issue of the bonus to male time-workers generally. Cases arising will be considered on their merits on receipt of recommendations from the managements concerned with due regard to the circumstances prevailing in the district.
Mr. NUGENTasked the Minister of Munitions what arrangements have been made with the employers in the engineering trade in Ireland with reference to the payment of the 12½ per cent. bonus recently given to workers in the engineering trade; if the firms concerned have been notified that this amount will be refunded by the Government; what will be the position of firms if they pay this bonus to their employés without such notification from the Government; if he is aware that 1396W firms in Dublin are experiencing difficulty in dealing with this matter, as no definite reply can be got from the Department concerned as to the arrangements to be made; and if he will give instructions that the firms concerned shall be at once notified how they ought to deal with this matter?
§ Sir W. EVANSMy right hon. Friend is prepared to consider claims made by contractors for increased prices which are affected by the bonus in question. Forms on which to make such claims have already been issued to firms holding contracts direct from the Ministry. If any firm has not received such forms, application should be made to the Secretary, Ministry of Munitions, Contract Claims Branch, when they will be promptly dealt with.