HC Deb 11 September 1941 vol 374 cc343-4W
Mr. Gallacher

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that the conditions proposed by the new management in the transferred Royal Ordnance Factory will mean that men of the same degree of skill and working at exactly the same class of work will have different basic rates of pay; and, in view of the harm this can cause, will he take steps to see that the basic rate in operation before the transfer remains the basic rate for all employees, old or new?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

At present, the Clyde district time rate is slightly lower than the Royal Ordnance Factory rate. Where piece work applies, however, the system of fixing prices is identical. All workers employed when the management of the Royal Ordnance Factory was entrusted to Messrs. Beardmore will continue to be paid on Royal Ordnance Factory piece and time rates. The question of the appropriate time rate for new entrants is under consideration.