§ MR. SUMMERBELLI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can now state to the House the decision of the Treasury in regard to the wages of the employees at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
§ THE TREASURER OF THE HOUSEHOLD (Sir EDWARD STRACHEY,) Somersetshire, S.The Treasury have sanctioned an increase from 23s. to 24s. a week in the wages of labourers who have given five years satisfactory service, and they have agreed to the wages of the gangers and the head-carter being raised from 25s. to 26s. a week. They have also expressed their willingness to grant some concession in respect of hours of work to the constables and museum porters, who are at present required to attend seven days a week, and receive only one day in twenty-eight in lieu of Sunday attendance. The details of this latter concession are under consideration.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTHow many men will this affect?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYI cannot say.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTWhy do you not know it?
§ [No Answer was returned.]