18. Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Admiralty do not reply to the petition of the men employed at Malta dockyard, presented in March last, wherein they give proof that their wages are below the standard of reasonable living, and in which they ask for an adjustment of wages to enable them and their families to exist; and whether consideration has been given to the facts and figures presented to the Admiral last March, showing in detail how the low wages in operation are spent; and why no reply is given to the letters from the trade union on this subject, dated 22nd June and 7th July, 1923?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe petition referred to, in connection with which a full report has been received from the Admiral Superintendent, is under consideration. I may mention that the wages of the lowest paid local workmen are at present 140 per cent. over pre-War rates. I hope that it will be possible to send a reply shortly to the letters from the London office of the Workers' Union.