17. Viscountess ASTORasked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty what rates of weekly wrage have been paid to the lowest grade of adult labour in the Royal Dockyard at Plymouth since January, 1914; and what the present rate is under the recently revised scale of dockyard wages?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLIn January, 1914, the weekly rate for labourers was 23s. The rate was increased to 24s. a week from 1st October, 1914. By a series of temporary advances made over the period March, 1915-June, 1920, 39s. 6d. was added to the rate, and from October, 1917, 12½ per cent, bonus was paid on the total rate. The temporary increases, including the 12½ per cent, bonus, have been gradually reduced, as from July, 1921, and, with the last 4s. reduction taking effect from the 19th November, the total amount of the temporary increases is now 17s. a week, making the present pay of labourers 41s. a week.