§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the maximum rate of pay of established sawyers in His Majesty's dockyards has not been increased since 1891; whether last year the maximum rate of pay for skilled labourers was raised to 30s. per week; and will he consider the advisability of raising the established sawyer's rate of pay from 27s. 1305 to 30s. per week, and so place him at least on the same footing as the skilled labourer?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answers to the first and second parts of the question are in the affirmative—with this proviso, that the 30s. maximum for skilled labourers is regarded as "special," and awarded only to a limited number of men employed upon the more skilled operations and actually using hand or machine tools as responsible workmen. The question of revising the rates of wages for sawyers is under consideration in connection with the workmen's annual petitions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay we know when an answer will be given to the sawyers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot fix a date as I stated, but there will be no undue delay.