HC Deb 23 July 1889 vol 338 cc1097-8
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can now inform the House as to the result of his inquiries as to the number o* hours worked by the gas stokers employed by the various Gas Companies of London; If it is a fact, as has been asserted by the Labour Elector newspaper of 13th July, that, at the following gas factories—namely, East and West Greenwich, Bankside, Kent Road, Rotherhithe, Vauxhall, Fulham, King's Cross, Shoreditch, Bromley, Kensal Green, Nine Elms, Beckton, Bow Common, and Lower Sydenham, the hours have been reduced to eight per day; and, whether he will now take steps to remove the discontent of the Government gas stokers, and avoid possible strikes, by reducing their hours of labour in a like degree?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

The inquiries are not yet completed, and I am not prepared to accept or reject the newspaper statement which the hon. Member has quoted. I know of no discontent or dissatisfaction, I am glad to say, among the Government gas stokers, and they are aware that their case is being inquired into.