MR. HARVEY LEWISsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, 1606 Whether it is true, as asserted, that an order has been issued by the Director of Clothing to the women employed at the Royal Clothing Factory at Pimlico by which they are ordered to provide themselves with the undermentioned articles by the first of April next—namely, one black lace cap, trimmed with scarlet riband, one Garibaldi jacket of violet llama, and one large jean apron, the cost of which articles will be 10s. at least; and that those not complying with the order are to be dismissed; and whether it is true that the average amount earned by those women does not exceed 10s. per week?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, in reply, that the adoption of the uniform dress, to which the question referred, was purely voluntary. He understood that those work women who were willing to adopt the dress were furnished with it for 3s. 5d., which sum they paid by weekly stoppages of 3d., and their wages were between 9s. and 10s. a week.