§ MR. RADCLIFFE COOKEOn behalf of the hon. Member for Deptford, I beg to ask the Civil'Lord of the Admiralty whether six permanent day coopers employed in the Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford, have had their wages reduced from 30s. to 26s. a week; and whether these men's pensions will be calculated on a higher rate than their present weekly pay?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) DundeeThere are no permanent day coopers at Deptford. Any cooper who is qualified, and wishes it, has his turn at piece-work. It is incorrect to say that the wages have been reduced. The rate of 30s., or 5s. a day, was paid for some time in consequence of a mistake in an Admiralty letter. When the mistake was discovered, the proper rate of 4s. 4d. a day was resumed. The nominal rate of 30s. a week was fixed by the Treasury for the purpose of calculating the pensions of men who, being employed on piece-work, earn on an average 30s. a week or more. It does not apply to men who are not employed on piece-work at all, as the rule is that pension cannot be calculated at a higher rate than actual pay.