§ 61. Mr. LYNCHasked whether the conditions of appointment of temporary assistant chemists in the chemical laboratory of the department of the chief inspector, Woolwich Arsenal, have been recently improved; if so, to what extent; whether the department has now any difficulty in securing sufficient temporary assistant chemists properly qualified for the work entrusted to them; and whether the staff of the chemical department is now adequate for the work given to it without working overtime?
Mr. BAKERYes, Sir. The chemists referred to are now paid at rates varying from £120 to £150 per annum, the previous rate being £2 0s. 6d. a week. The vacancies are not all filled, but no difficulty is anticipated in obtaining the requisite number of qualified chemists. Overtime, I am afraid, cannot be altogether avoided, as the work is fluctuating in character and often of great urgency.