§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that workmen employed graining and preparing zinco-photo plates in the zinco-printing department at the Ordnance Survey Office, Southampton, have recently had their wages reduced from 27s. to 21s. and from 34s. to 22s. 6d. per week, in consequence of piecework being abolished, and the men being required to perform, the same amount of work as formerly, but for which they are now paid at the day work rates of 21s. and 22s. 6d. per week; and whether he will take the necessary steps to remedy this grievance?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREIt has recently been found necessary to diminish the extent to which the workmen referred to are employed on piecework, and inasmuch as their earnings when so employed are greater than when they are employed at a daily rate of pay, their aggregate earnings have doubtless been reduced, although not to the extent mentioned in the Question. I cannot enter into any undertaking that any class of men engaged on the survey should be continuously employed on piecework—a daily rate of pay being the normal rule; but I will make inquiry as to whether the men referred to have any cause for complaint as to the rate paid in their particular case. So far, neither the Director General nor I have received any direct representations on the subject.