HC Deb 05 June 1957 vol 571 cc107-8W
Mr. Ellis Smith

107, 108 and 109. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) upon what basis the Official Side of the Admiralty asked for an assurance from the trade union side for their co-operation; what restrictions on efficiency exist; and what action has been taken on the many suggestions made by the trade union side;

(2) what consultations took place prior to the settlement of the general pay claim made in May, 1957, with the trade unions who have members employed in Her Majesty's dockyards;

(3) when negotiations were authorised to be conducted upon the basis that they were in May, 1957, between representatives of the Admiralty and the Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council; what was the offer made to the trade unions; what was the settlement made and the conditions agreed upon; and what was the result of the voting for the motion which was accepted.

Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith:

The Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council has, since 1920, been the body responsible for negotiating wages of Admiralty industrial employees. A claim for a substantial increase in wages was made by the Trades Union Side of the Council on the 24th October, 1956, and was discussed at several Council meetings.

On the 17th May, 1957 the Official Side offered increases of 1ls. weekly for skilled men, 9s. 6d. for semi-skilled and 8s. for ordinary labourers, with effect from the pay week containing 7th May. The offer was subject to conditions; firstly, that no further application for a general increase in wages would be made within twelve months; secondly, that the Trade Union Side would give an assurance of continued co-operation in the removal of any restricting practices which existed and, thirdly, that they would agree to the establishment of a sub-committee of the Council to consider certain questions of joint interest, including prospective schemes of re-organisation and improvements in efficiency.

After discussion the offer was amended to provide increases of 10s. and 9s. weekly for semi-skilled and unskilled male employees, and was then accepted by the Trade Union Side.

There is no evidence of serious restrictive practices in the Admiralty service, but there is a considerable field in which greater efficiency could be obtained. Any suggestions made by the Trade Union Side can be, and are, considered under existing machinery.