§ MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a petition from the officers employed in His Majesty's local prisons, complaining of the difference between the rates of pay existing in the subordinate ranks of the convict and local prisons; whether he is aware that assistant warders in these prisons are obliged to commence their duties at a wage of 23s. a week, with an annual increment of 4½d. a week to a maximum of 26s., and in the case of warders a minimum of 27s. advancing to a maximum of 30s.; and whether, considering the hours and the character of the duties of these men, he will consider the advisability of giving them increased remuneration.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.I must refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Sunderland†, which was to the effect that this Question will receive my most careful consideration.