§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that for many years the mechanics in the Royal dockyards 889 who had served an apprenticeship to the hand-sewn boot and shoe trade were classed as skilled labourers and paid as such; that in 1908 the Admiralty made them a minor trade, and classed them as leather-hose makers; that since that date the maximum rate for skilled labourers had been raised to 30s. a week, leaving the leather-hose makers no longer classed as skilled labourers, at the old rates of pay, namely, 26s. 6d. for established men and 28s. for hired men; and whether, seeing that the hose-makers' trade was ever widening and becoming more difficult, he would consider the advisability of granting a trade rate of pay of 30s for established men and 31s. 6d. for hired men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe reply to the first, second, and third parts of the question is in the affirmative, but a few of the leather-hose makers are allowed the same maximum rates as skilled labourers—namely, 30s. a week. The rate of wages of the class in question is now again under consideration in connection with the annual petitions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhen will the decision be announced?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say, but there will be no undue delay.