§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that men employed at Deptford, in the West India Docks Naval Stores, and who have given every satisfaction by doing skilled work, viz., that of painting, for which they have received 26s. per week, have been informed that those of them who are under thirty-five years of age are to be appointed as storehouse assistants (permanently), and that their wages will be 23s. per week, with 6d. per week increase at the end of two years service; and can he say why this reduction should take place, especially when for the quality and quantity of work done the men are entitled to a substantial increase.
§ MR. LAMBERTNo order of the kind mentioned has been issued. Two men in receipt of 24s. per week have been selected for service as storehouse 68 assistants, a position in which their prospects will be much improved.