§ 24. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the situation of the pensioners employed as labourers at the Royal Naval 309 Barracks at Devonport has been brought to his notice; whether he is aware that about five years ago the wages paid to leading hands was £1 4s. a week and to other labourers £1 1s.; that last year the 1s. rise given to labourers brought them within 2s. of leading hands, and the rise announced for 1st June next of a further 1s. will bring the labourers within 1s. of the leading hands; whether he is aware that the leading senior hand has charge of a staff of 165 men, receiving no extra pay for these duties, thus differing from the men employed in the dockyard, who would receive an additional 1s. a day; and whether, in the circumstances, he can see his way to making such additions to the pay of the leading hands as will make their position proportionately the same as regards their subordinates as was the case five years ago?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe question of the pay of leading hands in relation to the recently announced increase in the minimum wage of labourers is at present under consideration.