§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the wages paid to all Government employés in Ireland range from 10 per cent, to 25 per cent, less than that paid to Government employés in Great Britain in similar positions; and will he take steps to raise their wages to the level paid to employés in Great Britain?
§ Mr. DUKEThe general allegation in the first part of the hon. Member's question is not borne out by the facts, as in several large branches of the Civil Service there is a standard scale of salary applicable throughout the United Kingdom. The payment, however, of many classes of public employés must necessarily be determined in relation to the rates of wages paid by other employers, which vary in various localities, and in this connection regard must be had to the normal level of wages. I am informed that the normal level of wages is generally lower in Ireland than in Great Britain.