§ Mr. PURCHASEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present rate of pay for temporary writers employed in the Woolwich Dockyard with and without bonus; whether there has been any alteration in the rates of pay since August, 1914; and, if so, will he give details of the same.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not clear whether my hon. Friend's inquiry relates to temporary writers in the Royal Dockyard, Woolwich, or in the Royal Naval Ordnance Depot, Woolwich Arsenal. The former establishment is under the control of the War Office, and I have no information as to the rates of pay obtaining there. Temporary writers in the Royal Naval Ordnance Depot at Woolwich are at present paid on the same basis as members of the permanent staff, namely, 24s. to 40s. a week, by annual increments of 2s. a week. This is exclusive of war bonus, which is at present 24s. a week, plus 20 per cent, of the rate of pay. No adult writer, however, receives less than an overriding minimum of 60s. a week.
The various rates of pay authorised for temporary writers at Woolwich during the War have been as follows:
- 4th August, 1914, to 29th January, 1915–24s. a week.
- 30th January, 1915, to 31st March, 1916.—From 26s. to 38s. a week.
- 1st April, 1916, to 7th November, 1916.—31s. to 38s.
- 8th November, 1916, to 31st December,1916.—35s. on entry, 38s. after one month, and 40s. after twelve months.
- 1st January, 1917, to 31st March, 1917.—39s. on entry, 42s. after one month, 44s. after twelve months.
- 1st April, 1917, to 31st July, 1917.—40s. on entry, 42s. after one month, 44s. after twelve months.
- 1st August, 1917, to 14th October, 1917.— 43s. on entry, 46s. after one month, 48s. after twelve months.
- 15th October, 1917, to 2nd December, 1917.—49s. flat rate.
- 3rd December, 1917, to 31st December, 1918.—54s. flat rate.
- 1st January, 1919, to 31st March, 1919.— 60s. flat rate.
- 1st April, 1919, to present date.—As for permanent writers, subject to overriding minimum of 60s. a week.