§ MR. W. T. WILSONTo ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether 845 he is aware that three hired men employed in the Naval Stores, Officers' Department, West India Docks, who are continuously engaged on carpenters' and joiners' work, are paid at the rate of 27s. per week, whilst the London district rate for this class of work is 42s. per week; and whether, in view of the undertaking given by the Government on 1st March, 1906, to pay the standard rate of wages to their employees, he will take steps to raise the wages of these men to the standard rate of the district.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The men are not engaged on joiners' work hut on rough carpentry, such as the erection and alteration of racks in the storehouses, and the repair of packing cases, etc. Only one man is continuously employed on this class of work, and he is paid. 33s. per week.