§ 6. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether the masons of the engineer manager's department in the Royal dockyards have only received an increase of 861 1s. during the last nineteen years; that disappointment prevails amongst these men owing to the fact that they have been left out of the rises given recently; and will he consider the possibility of raising their maximum from 34s. to 36s.?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the first part of the question, the rate for bricklayers and masons, hired men, was increased from 31s. 6d. to 33s. 6d. in 1905. In 1912 the rate was further raised to 34s., and special rates applicable to men in the Engineering Department on boiler work were fixed, the maximum being 38s. I am afraid I can hold out no prospect of any modification in the existing scale.