§ Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary whether, owing to the advance in food-stuffs due to the War pressing hardly
903Won the labouring class, the Irish Local Government Board would sanction an advance on wages paid by county councils in cases where, as in the Fermoy district, the rate for labourers is as low as 14s. per week?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis is a matter primarily for the consideration of the county councils themselves. In some instances where county councils have asked the Local Government Board to sanction increased wages to workmen employed by them in connection with county works, the Board have informed them that they would raise no objection to the proposed increases in the rate of wages if the county councils were satisfied, having regard to the prevailing rate of wages in the county, that the increases are necessary to secure efficient labour.