HC Deb 03 April 1919 vol 114 cc1416-8W
Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that from August, 1916, the foremen and foremen-writers of the Army Ordnance Department at Woolwich received time and a half pay for every hour worked on Sundays and double pay for work on Bank Holidays, whereas the foremen at Alder-shot, for doing the same class of work, only receive bare pay for Sunday and Bank Holiday work with the exception of time offered in lieu of Bank Holidays which, owing to war conditions, was generally impossible to fit in; and why these conditions prevail?

Mr. FORSTER

The differences in these respects, as in those referred to in the next question, are due to the close association of the Ordnance Department at Woolwich with the great engineering establishments there.

Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Army Ordnance Department foremen at Woolwich received a higher war bonus than the foremen at Aldershot; and why the 12 per cent. increase was granted to Woolwich foremen and not to Aldershot foremen?

Mr. FORSTER

The Army Ordnance Depot at Woolwich is situated within the same enclosure as the Ordnance Factories there, and, in accordance with past practice the war advances, including the 12½ per cent. given in the factories, were extended to the foremen in the Ordnance Depot. Army Ordnance Depots generally are not engineering establishments, and as such are not entitled to the 12½ per cent. advance. Claims made on behalf of such depots have been refused on arbitration by the Committee on Production.

Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether private soldiers in the New Army who are married and have two children receive pay equal to £3 19s. a week, and whether pay of £2 2s. a week is considered adequate for foremen and storeholders of the Army Ordnance Department who sometimes have stores to the value of £250,000 put under their charge?

Mr. FORSTER

Rates differ at different stations, but no foreman or storeholder of the Army Ordnance Department in the United Kingdom is receiving as little as £2 2s. a week. The cash emoluments of a married private with two children, including separation allowance and bonus for compulsory retention in the Armies of Occupation are £2 12s. a week.

Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a gratuity to members of the Army Ordnance Department in recognition of their excellent services to the country during the last four and a half years?

Mr. FORSTER

The question no doubt refers to civilian subordinates in Army Ordnance depots. These men have received war bonuses and other increases of pay in many cases, in the same way as other civilians in public employ. While I gladly recognise the value of their services, I see no reason for treating them exceptionally by the grant of a special gratuity.