§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether in June last the Corporation of the Trinity House introduced the 48 hours a week into their workshops; whether notice has now been given that on and after the 19th instant the concession will be withdrawn and the 54 hours a week reverted to; if so, on what ground this step has been taken; and whether, seeing that the Admiralty and the War Office have introduced and adhere to the 48 hours a week in their workshops, he will use his best endeavours to obtain the withdrawal of the notice?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEIn the course of Last year the Board of Trade gave their sanction to the expenditure involved in conceding an eight-hour day to the men employed at the Trinity House workshops as a temporary Measure. I now understand that notice has been given by the Trinity House that the 54 hours week will be reverted to; but I have no information as to the grounds on which this step has been taken. As the Board of Trade have no 883 control over the Trinity House workshops beyond financial control over expenditure, I have no power to interfere in the matter.