§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether coopers employed in day work at Deptford Victualling Yard receive 30s. per week wages, although the lowest wages paid by private employers to their coopers for similar work is 40s. per week; whether the piece work rates paid 1228 to coopers at Deptford Victualling Yard range from 30 to 40 per cent. below the rates paid by private employers for similar work; whether private firms who pay their workmen the trades union rates of wages are at the present time supplying the Admiralty at Deptford Victualling Yard with new casks at a lower price than they can be manufactured in the yard; and will he explain what is the cause of this difference in cost?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINCoopers employed on day work at Deptford Victualling Yard receive 30s. for a 48 hours' week. According to my information, it is not the fact that coopers employed by private employers on similar work are paid 40s. a week. I have no information as to the piece work rates paid by private employers. In regard to paragraph 3, I believe the facts are as stated. The cause of the difference in cost is a question which is now engaging my consideration.