§ 26. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the assistants employed in the laboratory of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, are classified as labourers, and, if so, why is this classification made; whether their wages are 22s. a week; whether, in view of their work, they are called upon to maintain an appearance which demands more expenditure than a labourer doing ordinary work; whether park rangers have 25s. a week with uniform; and whether, in these circumstances, he can see his way to increase the wages of these men?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)These men are labourers. They are employed on the same duties and receive the same wages as other labourers.
§ Mr. J. HOGGEIs my hon. Friend aware that the labourers referred to in the question differ from the ordinary labourers engaged on outside work?
§ Mr. W. BENNThey do labourers' work.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Admiralty, which is not at all a sympathetic Department, pays its labourers close by a standard or minimum wage of 23s. a week?
§ Mr. W. BENNWe have a Committee inquiring into the matter whether the wages are adequate.
§ Mr. BARNESWhy not increase the wages to 23s. pending the further consideration?
§ Mr. W. BENNThe Committee is investigating the case; we hope to have their Report before long.
§ Mr. JONATHAN SAMUELWhen is this Report likely to be received?
§ Mr. W. BENNThe Committee will not report to this House; it is a Committee of the Department.
§ Mr. J. HOGGEWhen can we raise this question?
§ Mr. W. BENNOn the Vote for the Office of Works.