§ 24. Mr. BYRNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the 2234 conditions of employment in the Irish Lights Department at Kingstown; if he is aware that the wages paid to labourers is not sufficient to keep their families supplied with bread; if he is aware that the total wages paid, which includes a war bonus granted at the outbreak of war, are only 23s. per week; if he will issue instructions to the effect that all employés in Departments for which the Government have any responsibility shall be paid not less than 30s. per week; and if he will say what the Government's proposals are with reference to these men?
Mr. ROBERTSThe practice of the Irish Lights Commissioners is to pay the persons employed by them the current local rate of wages. As regards the labourers referred to by the hon. Member, I understand that their pay, including war bonus, has hitherto been as stated, but that, as the local rate of wages has been increased, the pay of these men, including war bonus, will now be similarly raised to 25s. a week.