§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that the cleaners and firelighters of the House of Commons, who receive lower pay than any workmen on the building, are less generously dealt with than those occupying a similar position in the House of Lords; that it is ten years since they received any advance, whereas the general rate of wages for the Clerk of the Works' men has been considerably increased during that time. And, whether he will now give favourable consideration to their petition of February last, which was strongly recommended by the authorities of the House, thereby preventing the discharge of three of their number at the end of this month?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.This Question appears to relate to the petition of a small number of persons who are temporarily employed during the Session, in addition to the staff who are permanently employed. It is under the consideration of the Commissioners for regulating the affairs of the House of Commons, who hope to be able to give a decision on it before the end of the Session, but they cannot hold out any hope of retaining the three firelighters referred to after the end of this month, as temporary assistance of the kind cannot altogether be dispensed with. I understand that there are no persons employed temporarily in this work in the House of Lords.