§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that in the heating, lighting, and ventilating departments of the House of Commons workmen are employed from 70 hours per week, and that the wages of these workmen range from 25s. to 30s. per week; whether the contractors are compelled to pay their workmen for similar work 7d. to 10d. per hour; and whether he will favourably consider the case of the men for shorter hours and better wages?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASWith the exception of five men, whose cases are now under consideration, the hours of labour range from 50 to 60 per week. The wages range from 25s. to 39s. per week. The men have been brought up, and have learnt their business in the department, and, having regard to their duties, cannot be compared with those engaged on general engineering work, 222 their duties being peculiar to the Houses of Parliament, whilst they reap the advantage of their special service with regard to prolonged leave, full pay during illness, and gratuities on retirement. These men, whose duties would ordinarily cease at the close of the Session, have employment found for them for the rest of the year. If we were to employ contractors' men, as hinted at in the Question, their services would be dispensed with at the end of each Session.