§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the contract for the Portrain Lunatic Asylum was given to a firm whose tender was £1,500 higher than the lowest tender, and which is paying for labourers 12s. a week of 57 to 60 hours, as against 19s. a week of 54 hours Dublin wages; for tradesmen 28s. to 30s. a week of 57 hours, according to ability, as against a minimum of 36s. a week of 54 hours in Dublin; and, if so, whether this is in accord with the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIt is not a fact that the contract for the new Asylum at Portrane was given to a firm whose tender was £1,500 higher than the lowest tender. Labourers and tradesmen engaged on this work are employed by the hour, and not by the week, and I am informed that the rates of wages paid are not at variance with the Fair Wages Resolution of the House.