§ MR. J. H. C. HOZIER (Lanarkshire, S.)On behalf of the Member for Deptford (Mr. Darling): I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, whether men employed by Government in the Deptford Victualling Yard on general labourers' work are paid 20s. a week (for a week of 48 hours' work); and whether a contractor employing men in the same yard on the same class of work is compelled by the terms of his contract with the Government to pay to his men 6½d. per hour, being 26s. for 48 hours' work?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONLabourers employed by the Admiralty 725 at Deptford are paid a fixed rate of 20s. a week. Contractors' labourers are paid by the hour, at the rate stated in the question. It should be borne in mind that Admiralty-hired labourers have privileges not enjoyed by contractors' men—namely, holidays with pay; hurt pay, and medical attendance when hurt; gratuities under certain conditions on discharge; and, above all, more constant employment without the expense of frequent removals.
§ MR. J. KEIR HARDIEIs it not a fact that the privileges referred to are only estimated to amount in value to 1s. 6d. a week?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI do not know, but I will give the hon. Member an opportunity of ascertaining their value if he wishes.