§ CAPTAIN NAYLOR - LEYLAND (Colchester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War why, since the labourers of the Ordnance Store Department at Woolwich were recently given a rise of 2s. per week in their weekly wages, bringing them to 19s. in all, similar labourers in corresponding capacities at Colchester Station were only given a rise of 1s. per week, bringing their weekly wages to 17s.; is he prepared to equalise the wages of labourers of the same class employed at military stations throughout England; and, if not, will he explain for what reasons; and will he take steps, in anticipation of a general equalisation of this kind, to give the labourers employed by military departments at Colchester the same wages as those received by similar labourers at Woolwich?
§ MR. WOODALLThe Secretary of State is not prepared to equalise the wages of Ordnance Store labourers at all stations in England, inasmuch as the market rate of labour varies in the several localities, and depends, among other things, on the cost of living, lodging, &c.
§ CAPTAIN NAYLOR - LEYLANDDid the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the house-rent question?
§ MR. WOODALLYes, we have Returns for all stations in the United Kingdom.
§ CAPTAIN NAYLOR - LEYLANDWere the rents higher or lower than at Woolwich?
§ MR. WOODALLThey were higher at Woolwich than at any other place.