§ Mr. PURCHASEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the, cash and clerical staff at the Naval Ordnance Depot, Woolwich, are paid a lower rate of wages than the labourers who sweep the offices out?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe overriding minimum for the clerical staff is 60s, a week, which was awarded by the Conciliation and Arbitration Hoard, with effect as from the 1st January last, and is applicable to all establishments in the London area. A settlement by agreement was arrived at in June last with the Civil Service Union, which represents these men, and it was arranged, as from the 1st April last, to pay all temporary writers on the same basis as permanent writers, who are on a scale of pay fixed by the Regulations, subject to the proviso that no man should receive less than 60s. a week. The effect of this agreement enabled temporary writers to obtain the benefit. of the Civil Service war bonuses, and under the latest award a maximum of 78s. 7d. a week would be reached by annual increments of 2s. a week, after eight years' service, as against the fixed total of 68s. 1d for the unskilled workmen.