MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether a number of old servants of the Board of Works of from 15 to 30 years' service, at wages of 12s. to 15s. per week, were recently discharged at Kingstown, and are left with no means of subsistence; are other Government labourers at Kingstown Pier working 58 hours per week paid from 9s. to 14s.; and will ho inquire into the question of the discharge and remuneration of these men?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTI understand that there was no alternative but to discharge 12 Kingstown labourers in February last, because they were no longer able to perform their duties. In the cases of eight of these labourers the Treasury have awarded gratuities. The service of the remaining four does not bring them within the statutory powers under which gratuities can be given. The wages of men employed as labourers at Kingstown Pier vary from 12s. to 15s., not from 9s. to 14s. It is only in the case of boys that wages at the rate of 9s. are paid. The working hours per week at the harbour are 57 in summer and 54 in winter.
MR. T. M. HEALYAs these men, I am told, are in a state of great destitution after working for a long time for the Government, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of granting some gratuity?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTwas understood to say that there were no funds available for the purpose.