§ 23. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that wages in Malta have remained practically stationary for the last thirty years; whether he is aware that during this time house rent has increased as much as 50 per cent., and that the cost of living has made a marked progress during the last two years owing to stoppages of foodstuffs hitherto plentifully imported from the coast of Barbary, as well as from Sicily, before the outbreak of the Turco-Italian war; and whether the Board of Admiralty can see their way to increase the pay of the men employed in Malta dockyard?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not prepared to admit the contention put forward by the Noble Lord in the first part of the question, as the rates of wages paid to the various classes of workmen employed in the dockyard in Malta have in many cases been raised during the period mentioned. I am not in a position to say how far the statements made in regard to the increase in house rent and the cost of living may be true; nor have I any reason to suppose that the rates of wages paid to the dockyard workmen compare other than favourably with those generally current in the Island.