§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin County, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, will he explain why, although the men employed under the Board of Works at Kingstown, county of Dublin, were promised some years ago the usual half-holiday on Saturday, they are still compelled to work on that day till 3 p.m., thus putting in 58 hours a week; whether any employé who is late in going to work in the week, even though it be only by a few minutes, loses thereby the whole day; and whether, if the foregoing allegations are true, the full half-holiday will now be granted, and some lesser penalty be inflicted for being late at work in the mornings?
§ MR. HANBURYI understand that no half-holiday was promised, but that shortened working hours of 57 hours in the week in summer, and 54 in winter, commenced on 20th June, 1891, and have been continued ever since. Prior to that date the men worked till six on Saturdays during the summer months, but since then have knocked off work at three. As the men work in gangs, it is essential that they should all be ready to commence work at the same time, and therefore no alterations can be made in the rules for attendance in the morning. The men are allowed seven holidays in the year on full pay, besides which they have certain benefits during sickness not given to ordinary labourers.