§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that, up to the last increase in wages for painters, all the painters in Woolwich Arsenal received the district rate for the trade; that when the last increase was granted only the 1724W painters of the buildings works department were allowed to participate; that with another increase on the 1st May the difference in the rate will amount to 2½d. per hour or 10s. per week; and whether he will have inquiries made into this matter with a view to all the painters in the Arsenal receiving the proper district rate?
Mr. HOPEThe remuneration of time-working operatives (including painters) of the Ordnance Factories, Woolwich, consists of pre-War basic rates; plus basic increases of 3s. a week (2s. in the case of general labourers) granted in November and December, 1914; plus the advances and increases awarded by the industrial court for the engineering trade generally (which from June, 1920, will amount to 39s. 6d. per week); plus the 12½ per cent. bonus. It is the present intention that the pay of these operatives shall continue to be governed by the awards of that series. In view of these facts there would appear to be no good ground for altering the rates of pay of particular classes of ancillary labour (such as painters) because of rates of pay prevailing in other trades in which conditions are dissimilar.