§ MR. KEARLEYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the inquiry now in progress by the Labour Department is with a view of ascertaining the Trade Union rates prevailing in private employment, so that an equivalent scale may be applied to the wages paid in the Government dockyards, arsenals, and other public establishments?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe inquiry is, in the first instance, to ascertain the wages paid in all Government Departments, and to compare the same with the rates of wages paid for similar work outside, and to report thereon for the information and consideration of the Government.
§ COLONEL HUGHESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office Circular of 17th December, 1861, has yet been rescinded as to the following paragraph:— 1388
The Rate of Wages at which the men are found willing to engage themselves for employment, must be taken to be a 'Full Market Rate,' it being optional with the men to accept or refuse such wages.
§ MR. WOODALLNo, Sir. The Circular in question has not been rescinded. Its object was simply to determine that men engaged at what was understood as the "full market rate" of wages were not entitled to superannuation.