§ 2. Mr. JOYCEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireand whether his attention has 1933 been called to the position and pay of the lock-keepers on the Grand Canal (Ireland) between Limerick and Killaloe; will he say if those people are servants of the Board of Works (Ireland); what were their weekly wages previous to the War; what increase, if any, has been given to them since the War began; and whether favourable consideration will be given to their case in the matter of wages to meet the high prices of all the necessaries of life owing to the conditions that now prevail?
§ Mr. DUKEThe lock-keepers on the canal between Killaloe and Limerick are in the employment of the Commissioners of Public Works, and their wages before the War were 13s. a week with free house and garden. They have been paid a war bonus of 3s. a week from 1st January last, and will receive a further bonus of 2s. a week from the same date under the recent award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés. I am told that the duties of these men leave them much spare time which they devote to other occupations not inconsistent with their employment.
§ Mr. KEATINGIs it not a fact that this company promised to increase the wages of their workmen in consideration of getting benefits from this Parliament?
§ Mr. DUKEThis is not a question of wages paid by the company. These are servants of the Board of Works—of the Crown.