§ Mr. Awberyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the men employed at the Naval Base at Singapore do not come under the labour laws of the Colony; that this is causing resentment among the employees; and if he will take steps to see that the labour laws of the Colony apply equally to all workers irrespective of who the employer may be.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes,"76W but on the whole the locally entered employees derive greater benefits from present Admiralty practice than they would under the Straits Labour Ordinance of 1923 and the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance of 1933 which are at present in force, and I have no evidence of resentment among employees. There have, however, been consultations with the Singapore Government to ensure that the conditions of service of locally entered employees conform with those prescribed in the draft Labour Bill which is shortly to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.