§ 74. Mr. LAWTHERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he is now in a position to state what annual holidays, with pay, the Commissioners have decided to give to their workmen on their various estates?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)The present practice is that 768 forest workers are given the annual paid holidays provided for in the orders of the respective agricultural wages committees, subject to a minimum of two days.
§ Mr. LAWTHERWill the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Commissioners to see that these men, who work extraordinarily long hours for very low wages, are given an annual holiday with pay?
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNHas the hon. Gentleman considered the application from this particular class of workers for a concession which the Government made 18 months ago to industrial workers in the Admiralty and other Departments?
§ 75. Mr. LAWTHERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he will state the hours now being worked weekly on the estates of the Commissioners at Hamsterley Grove, Durham, and Chopwell Woods, Durham; the number of men and boys employed; their weekly wages; and the times they commence and finish work in summer and winter months?
§ Mr. SMITHAt Hamsterley Grove the hours of work are now 50 per week. Twenty-five men are employed at 35s. per week and eight boys at from 15s. to 26s. In summer work starts at 7 o'clock and ends at 5. In winter it starts at 8 and ends at 4.30. On Saturdays work ends at noon. In Chopwell Woods the hours of work are now 50 per week. Six; men are employed at from 35s. to 38s. per week and 12 boys at from 14s. to 25s. In summer work starts at 7 and ends at 5. In winter it starts at 7.30 and ends at 4.30. On Saturdays work ends at noon.
§ Mr. LAWTHERWhen the Parliamentary Secretary is considering the question of holidays is it possible for him also to consider the question of increasing the wages of these men and boys?
§ Mr. SMITHThe wages of these men were increased comparatively recently by raising the minimum rate from 30s. to 35s.
§ Major COLVILLECan the hon. Gentleman assure us that the conditions of these workers are equally as good as those in the Russian timber camps?
§ 76. Mr. LAWTHERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he will give the number of holdings and cottages on the estates of the Commissioners at Hamsterley Grove, Durham, and Chopwell Woods, Durham?
§ Mr. SMITHAt Hamsterley Grove there are 13 holdings, two cottages and the forester's house. In Chopwell Woods there are four holdings, three cottages and the forester's house.