§ 11. Mr. LEACHasked what advance of wages, if any, has been paid to farm labourers and railwaymen in Wiltshire since the commencement of the War now being carried on?
§ Sir H. VERNEYThe Board have not yet been able to obtain definite information as to the advance in the wages of farm labourers, but inquiries show that in many parts of Wiltshire an advance of at least 2s. a week has taken place since war broke out. On some farms the increase exceeds that figure. The Board have no information in respect of the wages of railwaymen.
§ 12 and 27. Mr. LEACHasked (1) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will say how many men from each parliamentary division of Wiltshire have joined the Army since August last, and how many of such men are reported to have been lost up to the latest known date; and (2) the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of men who have joined the Army since 1st August last from the respective parliamentary divisions of Wiltshire, giving in each case the number who have become officers and those who have joined as privates?
§ Mr. PETOIs the hon. Baronet also willing to satisfy the curiosity of Wiltshire Members as to recruiting statistics in York-shire?
§ Sir H. VERNEYI am not going to reply to this question, which is one for the War Office.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)It is not expedient to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks.