§ 13. Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the 1269 wages paid to labourers employed by the Irish Lights Commissioners at Kingstown is 22s. with 3s. war bonus; if he is aware that the wages paid do not compare favourably with the wages paid by other employers in the district; if he is aware that this is baby week in Dublin; if he is aware that almost all the labourers in the Irish Lights are married men fond of babies; and if he will say when they will be paid a wage sufficient to keep their families in comfort?
Mr. ROBERTSMy right hon. Friend has requested me to reply to this question. The wages paid to labourers employed by the Irish Lights Commissioners at Kingstown are as stated. I am informed that they conform to rates current in the district and that whenever the current local rate is advanced the wages paid to the labourers at Kingstown are correspondingly increased. I understand that about 60 per cent, of these labourers are married.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat are the wages paid to labourers similarly occupied in England?
§ Mr. DEVLINWould it not be better for the Government to have a standard wage, and not to follow an example set by the sweating employers in Dublin?