§ MR. BRAMSDONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state what amount remains unexpended out of the sum of £60,000 appropriated last year for increasing the wages in the Royal Dockyards; and, 698 in the event of there being a balance so unexpended whether their Lordships intend to appropriate the same amongst last year's petitioners; and, if so, in what manner; and whether they will take into consideration first those cases where no concessions or only partial concessions were granted.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONMy hon. friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that a sum of £60,000 was appropriated for increase in the Dockyard wages. This figure is the approximate annual cost of the increases recently granted. There is consequently no question of any unappropriated balance.