Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that two carpenters in the employ of the Board of Works at Belfast have had their wages reduced 2s. per week below the standard rate, and whether he will take steps to have these men paid the rate of wages current in Belfast?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEWorkmen in the direct employment of the Board of Works who enjoy special privileges not accorded by contractors to their employés—such as holidays and sick leave without stoppage of pay and a gratuity at the end of their service—receive a slightly lower rate of money payment than the standard rate. It has been decided to make the conditions of payment for all workmen in the Board's service uniform, and two carpenters who used to receive the contractor's rate of wages without privileges have recently been placed on the scale paid by the Board to men who enjoy the privileges—namely, 36s. per week.