§ 20. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the staff for sea service battery at Eastney, mentioned on page 11 of his statement to the House and in the Portsmouth General Order, No. 509, of 19th March, 1913, is to consist of one E.R.A. at 24s. per week, one S.P.O. or leading stoker and two stokers at 22s. per week each; whether these rates of wages are correct; if so, will he state the reason for the reduction to 24s. for the fully qualified mechanic, who is to be in responsible charge of the whole of the plant, seeing that the current rate 1154 in the district for ordinary mechanical work is 38s. 6d. per week; and whether he can state how many qualified men have refused to accept the employment at these rates?
Mr. LAMBERT, the answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am making inquiries as to the precise nature of the work for which the man is required, and how it compares with ordinary mechanical work. I have no information as to how many qualified men have refused the appointment.