§ 5. Mr. SNOWDENasked the First Commissioner of Works if any decision has yet been arrived at in the matter of an increase of wages to the labourers and cleaners in the lighting and ventilating department of the Houses of Parliament; if so, what has been done; and, if not, will he press this matter forward, in view of the fact 574 that about a quarter of a century has passed since these workmen obtained any improvement in their wages, and in view also of the moderate amount of their present wages and the increase in the cost of living?
Mr. HARCOURTProposals are before the Treasury which, if agreed to, would have the effect of increasing permanently the wages of a considerable proportion of the staff in the lighting and ventilating departments. The staff will, however, benefit at once by a recent decision of the Treasury to extend to them the war bonus granted to similar people in the trade outside.