§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men continuously employed as hydraulic crane drivers at Deptford Victualling Yard are receiving wages ranging from 19s. to 22s. per week, whilst men employed in the same capacity at Woolwich Arsenal are paid from 23s. to 30s. per week, and the London dock companies pay their permanent cranemen from 30s. to 36s. per week; and whether he will consider the desirability of increasing the wages of the cranemen employed at Deptford Victualling Yard, and also of providing them with shelter against inclement weather?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. E. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.Hydraulic cranemen at Deptford Victualling Yard are paid 19s. to 22s. 6d. per week, but are not continuously employed on this duty. The rates paid lay the War Department at Woolwich are not known by the Admiralty, nor has the Department any information as to the average earnings, continuity of employment, and other conditions of service of men employed in a similar position by the London dock companies. There is no intention of increasing the rates paid at Deptford, but the Admiralty will consider the question of providing shelter during inclement weather.