§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the minimum wage for labourers at Deptford yard is 24s. a week and at Devonport 21s. a week, and that the cost of living and rent at the two places are practically the same; and whether he will consider the advisability of raising the wages of labourers in the Devonport dockyard, so as to place them on an equality with the labourers at Deptford?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe rates of pay given in the question are correct. I am not prepared to admit that at the present time the cost of living and rent at Deptford and in Devonport are practically the same. The question of the wages paid to labourers in the home dockyards was raised by the workmen at the recent hearing of petitions. The reply of the Board of Admiralty will be promulgated in due course.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has given me this reply on a former occasion and will he make inquiries and satisfy himself that what I have stated in the question is correct with regard to rent and cost of living?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have nothing before me except the Board of Trade returns for 1905. That is seven years old. That is why I say I cannot at present admit the accuracy of this contention.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect that these answers will be given by the Board of Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said the other day I hope it will be in the next few weeks.