HC Deb 08 June 1893 vol 13 cc526-7
SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge University)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what progress Her Majesty's Government have made in giving effect to the Resolution of the House relating to the conditions of employment of workmen in the Public Service?

MR. JOHN BURNS (Battersea)

Will the right hon. Gentleman, at the same time, say whether the Government have yet come to any conclusion regarding the wages of labourers in Government establishments?

* MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The Government have carefully inquired into the facts connected with this subject, and particularly into the rates and conditions of labour under the various Public Departments. Having considered these facts, they find that in certain departments under the Admiralty and the War Office the minimum rates of wages of labourers are such as to bring them within the terms of the declaration I made on the part of the Government, and to justify an increase. This will be determined in each department by those responsible in it, who will secure the necessary elasticity, and will have regard to the peculiar circumstances of each case.

SIR J. GORST

When will it be done?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It will be commenced at once.