§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that civilian labour is being generally displaced in Irish military barracks, and particularly in Cork, in the building trades, and replaced by military labour; whether the average wage of the district is paid to the military men employed on permanent work in the Cork barracks, as is required by the fair wages resolution of the House 65 of Commons; and whether it is intended to continue the employment of military labour in place of the regular qualified tradesmen of Cork and other places.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverIncidental repairs of barracks are, under the Queen's Regulations, entrusted as far as practicable to the artificers in regiments. The payments to them amount to from 2 to 3 per cent, of the whole sum expended on these services. They receive the rates of pay laid down in the Royal Warrant. But, since they also have board, lodging, clothes, and other privileges, it is not easy to compare their emoluments with the earnings of civil life. It is intended to continue the present practice.