§ Mr. R. BEAUMONTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of women cleaners in each of the Royal Dockyards who are affected by the reduction in wages ordered in Admiralty Order L. 6,135/33 of 23rd January, 1934; the rate of pay which they received before the reductions first came into force; the reasons for this reduction; and the amount of money which it is anticipated will be saved?
Lord STANLEYTwenty-nine women are affected, all employed in Portsmouth Dockyard. Their previous rates of wages were 1s. 3d. an hour for work between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 1s. an hour thereafter. After discussion on the Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council for Government Departments, the reduction was made in order to bring these rates, which were last reviewed in 1922, more nearly into accord with fair wages principles. The estimated reduction in expenditure therefrom is £5 5s. a week.