§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (Woolwich)To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the number of unskilled labourers employed in Woolwich Arsenal and Dockyard whose rate of wage is 21s. per week; whether the War Office have received a petition asking that unskilled labour should be paid at the rate of 24s. per week; and, if so, whether any reply has been made to that petition; and, seeing that the market rate for unskilled labour outside the Arsenal is 24s. per week, that the Government contractors employed in the Arsenal pay unskilled labour at this rate, and that the municipal authorities at Woolwich pay unskilled labour at the rate of 26s. per week, and having regard to the rents prevalent in the borough, whether he will take into consideration the question of increasing the wage of unskilled labour employed in the Woolwich Arsenal.
(Answer.) It is not possible to calculate the number of labourers receiving 21s. a week without considerable labour in consequence of the extra payments for overtime and piecework. The petition referred to was received, and after full inquiry and consideration was refused. I must point out that this whole question was thoroughly discussed in the House during the consideration of Vote 9 of the Army Estimates, on the 10th March.—(War Office.)