§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House how it happens that labourers employed in the Army Ordnance Department at His Majesty's Gunwharf, Devonport, are paid at the rate of 20s. 6d. per week, while labourers doing similar work at Woolwich are paid at the rate of 23s. 6d. per week; and whether, seeing that rent and cost of living at Devonport are so little below rent and cost of living at Woolwich, he can see his way to raising the rate of wages paid to labourers employed in the Army Ordnance Department in His Majesty's Gunwharf, Devonport, to the same level as that paid to labourers doing similar work at Woolwich?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe wages paid to labourers at Woolwich Arsenal by the War Department are 23s. a week, and not 23s. 6d., as stated in the question. The difference of 2s. 6d. a week between the wages at Devonport and London reflects the difference existing between the local rates in those places according to the information in my possession. Assuming this to be so, no action appears necessary.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether rents and the cost of living are not taken into account?
§ Mr. HALDANEWe take into consideration the general standard wages in the locality, which is the best indication, and if there is any dispute or difficulty, we take the advice of the committee which deals with these matters.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can state if rents and the cost of living are taken into account?
§ Mr. HALDANENo doubt these are factors which affect the wages paid in the district. We can only go upon the general standard rate of wages in the district. We measure the amount we pay by what other people pay in the district.
§ Major ADAMIf the increase in the cost of living is taken into consideration, why has the 23s. minium not been raised?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe increase in the cost of living has been taken into consideration. The rate was raised a few years ago, and I am not aware that there has been any difference in the cost of living between the two dates.