§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it is a fact that the Corporation of the Trinity House have not only reverted from the eight hours a day to 54 a week for the men employed in their workshops, but have also, simultaneously on the lengthening of the hours, reduced the minimum rate of wage for their engineers from 39s. to 38s. 3d.; whether, when the Corporation made application to him last year to sanction the introduction of the eight hours' day, it was understood that the experiment should have at least a twelve-month's trial; and whether he will lay upon the Table of the House copies of the correspondence that passed on the subject between the Board of Trade and the Corporation of the Trinity House?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEThe Board of Trade have no information as to whether the Corporation of Trinity House have reduced the minimum rate of wages for their engineers, us the sanction of the Board would not be required except in cases of increased expenditure. There was no understanding that the introduction of the eight hours' day should have at least twelve months' trial, the sanction of the Board to the additional expenditure was asked as a temporary measure. I shall be happy to show the correspondence to the hon. Member, but it is not necessary to publish it.