§ Mr. Petherickasked the Minister of Labour when a dock labour scheme under the Essential Work (Dock Labour) Order, 1941, is to be introduced in respect of ports in the Duchy of Cornwall; to what extent in percentage this will raise the cost of labour to the dock companies; and whether this increase in cost will all be paid to the National Dock Labour Corporation, Limited?
§ Mr. McCorquodaleA dock labour scheme in respect of certain ports in Cornwall was approved by the Minister of Labour and National Service under the Essential Work (Dock Labour) Order, 1941, as from nth January, 1943. Under the provisions of the scheme port transport employers covered by it are required to pay towards the costs of the scheme a contribution calculated on a percentage of the wages of their port transport workers. At present this contribution is equivalent to 25 per cent. of the wages of the workers allocated to the employers by the corporation, and 18¾ per cent. of the wages of the employers' regular weekly workers. This contribution is paid into funds administered by the National Dock Labour Corporation Limited, out of which is 227W defrayed the cost of administering the scheme, including the cost of the workers' guaranteed wage, the employers' share of National Insurance contribution, and payment for annual holidays under the National Agreement.