Mr. T. F. RICHARDSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware 1196 that the buttonholers at the Pimlico Clothing Factory have had their wages reduced from 3s. to 5s. per week without any help, assistance, improvement, or modification of operation; whether he can state the reason for such reduction; what is the average amount per week deducted; to what purpose is the money to be applied: whether the buttonholers are the only operatives whose wages have been reduced; whether he is aware that these prices have been in operation for 16 years; and whether, under the circumstances, after making allowances for the strain upon these women, and the many years that they have had this price, whether he can restore to them their old position?
§ Mr. HALDANEI answered at some length a question addressed to me by the hon. Member on the 11th inst., and stated the wages earned. The readjustment of piecework rates is an ordinary factory procedure. As stated by the hon. Member, the piecework rate for buttonholing was fixed very many years ago, and it has now been adjusted on a basis which enables the worker to earn wages which in the ordinary trade would be considered very good. Having been very thoroughly into the question, I must say I see no reason for increasing the rates now in force.