§ SIR JOHN ELLIS (Surrey, Kingston)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the labourers and constables in Kew Gardens are paid at the same rate of wages as in the London Parks, under the control of Her Majesty's Office of Works; and, if not, whether he will state the amount of the difference in the rate of wages respectively, and on what grounds the difference is made, the duties being analogous; whether a gatekeeper, after being in the service 34 years, has been recently dismissed at the age of 72, with a gratuity of £34 without pension; and whether, being still capable of lighter work, he could be retained on the staff at' reduced wages?
THE FIRST COMMISSIONER or WORKS (Mr. PLUN,) University of DublinIn the London Parks, labourers are paid from 21s. to 24s. per week. At Kew they are paid from 18s. to 20s. per week. The difference is in proportion to the rates of wages which obtain generally in London and the suburbs respectively. J. Lywood, a gatekeeper, has recently been retired, at the age of 70, after 29 years' service, with a gratuity of £34. Under the Act of 1887, this is the maximum compensation that could be given to him. I am afraid there is no other work in. which he could be employed.