§ MR. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether joiners are being engaged, under the Government Work Department, on the new police barracks now in course of erection in the hey ham Yard, Devonport, at the rate of 4s. per day, although the rate of wages in the district, paid to joiners, is at the rate of 5s. 10d. per day; whether local contractors tendered at a rate of wages which exceeded the estimate of the Department; and whether, in view of the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons of February, 1891, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the matter with a view of giving satisfaction.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.No joiners are employed on this building, but I imagine that the hon. Member intends to refer to the case of two men who applied to be entered as labourers. They have been employed on scaffolding and other rough carpentry, and if found competent will no doubt he advanced to a higher rate of pay. Rates of wages were not stated in the contractors' tenders.