§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that workmen employed on skilled work in the copper plate store at the Ordnance Survey Office, Southampton, receive lower wages than workmen employed on similar work in the other departments of the survey at Southampton; and whether he will favourably consider the claims of these men to fee paid the same wages as in the other departments?
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREThe workmen referred to are employed on duty inferior in character to that of those engaged in other branches, and it is reasonable, therefore, that they should be paid at a lower rate. They are, however, eligible for promotion when qualified, and as vacancies occur. No request for a higher rating has been made by the men themselves, and I have nothing before me which would suggest that any alteration is called for.