§ 60. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked what is the lowest wage now being paid by the Crown to any of its adult employés in the Forest of Dean; how this wage compares with that given by the Crown to the same class of labourer in the Forest in 1906 and 1910, respectively; what additional remuneration, if any, by way of allowances is given in such cases; and 770 what amount of rent, if any, is charged for cottages occupied by such labourers and owned by the Crown?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe lowest wage for day work paid on behalf of the Crown to adult employés in the Forest of Dean is that given to labourers. With the exception of two or three old or partially infirm men, who receive 17s. a week, these labourers are paid at the rate of 18s. a week. This rate of pay is the same as that given to the same class of men in 1906 and 1910, but since 1911 they have been given a holiday from one o'clock every Saturday afternoon, instead of on alternate Saturdays only, as previously allowed, and no pay is stopped on account of time lost through bad weather, as was formerly the case. When on piece-work the men earn higher wages. No additional remuneration by way of allowances is given, but many of the men have a cottage, pigstye, and garden, and some a paddock as well, the average rent charged being £4 a year.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiries as to the difference it has made to these men in consequence of the increased cost of living during the last four years, and will he also provide for their payment by the week and not monthly, as this constitutes a great grievance amongst lower paid labour?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAny representations made to me on this point I will, of course, consider.
§ 61. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked if, as the result of further consideration and consultation with the Crown agents and the deputy surveyor, he has found it possible, with the authority of the Treasury, to offer either to the district councils or to the colliery owners and miners in the Forest of Dean sites for workmen's cottages at a less rate than £200 per acre; and, if so, what is the price now being asked for such land, and in what district or districts of the forest it is obtainable, and by whom?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIn November last I made a provisional offer to the Rural District Council of East Dean and united parishes to sell to them nine sites for workmen's cottages, situate respectively at Cinderform, Hawkwell, Brierley, Mitcheldean, Joy's Green, Upper Scudley, and Blakeney (Thorny Tump), at prices ranging from £47 to £60 per acre. The offer was made subject to certain conditions, including my approval of the building scheme. 771 The council state that they are proceeding to prepare the necessary scheme. I made a similar provisional offer to the West Dean Rural District Council to sell a site containing about two and a half acres at Hang Hill at the rate of £75 per acre, but the council have resolved that no further steps be taken at present with regard to housing in the district. I have also offered to sell to the Cannop Colliery Company or their nominee an area of about sixteen and two-third acres at Cannop at the rate of £60 per acre as a site for workmen's cottages, subject to my approval of the plan for laying out the land and of the designs for the cottages.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government decline to sell cottage sites to working miners?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI think that would be contrary to the practice in the Forest of Dean, and it appears to me to be quite unnecessary, especially as the councils themselves are embarking upon housing schemes.