§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Customs outport watchers on the Clyde are paid lower rates than those on the Thames doing similar work; and, if so, when he proposes to rectify this inequality by advancing the wages of the former?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)The position is that the wages of Customs watchers in London are 24s. a week, while all other ports (including the Clyde ports) the wages are 21s. a week; but one-fourth of the total number of watchers at such ports are allowed to rise by 1s. a week per annum 603 to 24s. a week. I am not prepared to propose any change in the amount of pay of watchers on the Clyde, who cannot be considered apart from the whole Service.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say why these men on the Clyde are paid less than the men on the Thames?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI think it is generally known that the expenses of living in London are greater than in any other town.