§ Mr. HODGEasked whether the labourers employed on the Forest of Dean are only paid 18s. for a full week's work; that in wet weather they have to cease work with loss of pay, which sometimes means that a labourer will draw only 12s. or 15s. at the end of a week; whether he is also aware that the customary wage for labourers in the district is 5d. per hour; and whether he will consider the matter with a view to bringing these Government employés more on a level at least with other workmen in the district?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe labourers employed by the Commissioners of Woods in the Forest of Dean are paid 18s. for a week's work, the actual working time being eight and a-half hours per day in spring, summer and autumn, and eight hours in the winter, with a time allowance for getting to work from a distance. Half holidays are given on alternate Saturdays, without deduction from pay, 29 and the men have a cottage, pigstye, and garden, and in some cases a paddock as well, for £4 a year, and get superannuation allowances and, in suitable cases, sick pay. In wet weather, involving stoppage of work for half a day or more, the men, except those who have passed through the School of Forestry, have their pay stopped for the time lost. No stoppage is made for loss of time under half a day. Full pay is given for Christmas Day and Good Friday, which are holidays. I believe that the customary wage for labourers in private employ in the district is 5d. an hour, as stated by the hon. Member, but there is often more loss of time amongst other labourers than is the case with those employed in the woods by the Crown. All things considered, the Crown labourers seem to be better remunerated than other labourers in the district.