HC Deb 11 June 1917 vol 94 cc591-2
24. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that under his Department labourers in many parts of Ireland are receiving wages not exceeding 16s. per week; when these men will be paid a living wage; and is he aware that messenger girls in England receive better wages than Government labourers in Ireland?

Mr. DUKE

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 21st May.

Mr. BYRNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Department continues to employ labourers at 16s. per week, and if I give a number of cases where the Department is sweating the labourers will he see that they get a living wage?

Mr. DUKE

I will examine any cases which may be sent to me. So far as I am aware, the Department of Agriculture is one of the best, most generous, and most popular employers in Ireland.

Mr. BYRNE

Is 16s. a week a generous wage for a Government Department to pay married men?

Mr. DEVLIN

Is not the Department mostly generous to its highly paid officials?

Mr. DUKE

I do not think so. If the hon. Member were acquainted with the pay-sheets, I think he would find that that was not a deserved reflection.