HC Deb 25 June 1896 vol 42 cc75-6
CAPTAIN NORTON

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether he can state the number of skilled and unskilled labourers at present employed by the Government at Woolwich whose wages are less than 24s. per week?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.

As regards the ordnance factory at Woolwich, 428 skilled labourers and 645 unskilled labourers receive pay less than 24s. a week. Of the 428—

per week.
242 receive pay equivalent to 23/6
8 receive pay equivalent to 23/0
17 receive pay equivalent to 22/6
64 receive pay equivalent to 22/0
97 receive pay equivalent to 21/6
Total. 428
Of the 645— per week.
117 receive pay equivalent to 23/0
111 receive pay equivalent to 22/6
318 receive pay equivalent to 21/6
33 receive pay equivalent to 21/0
62 receive pay equivalent to 20/6
4* receive pay equivalent to 19/6
Total. 645
*These are boys just over the age of 21.

As regards the Ordnance Survey Department and Inspection Department at Woolwich, the 1,020 labourers receive pay equivalent to 20s. a week.

MR. J. WILSON (Durham, Mid)

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly state the number of hours the men have to work for the pay he has stated?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

The men employed work 48 hours a week.

MR. W. WOODALL (Hanley)

asked if the figures quoted represented the actual earnings?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

They represent actual earnings.

MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, seeing that the figures approach so nearly as what was recognised to be the proper minimum standard, he is willing to take steps to raise the wages of all the labourers to 24s. a week?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

asked for notice of the question.