§ Mr. CLANCYasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether the Board of Public Works in Ireland has received a petition from its employés in Kingstown, county Dublin, stating that their wages vary from 21s. 3d. to 16s. 9d. plus a war bonus of 4s. per week, and asking for an increase of the ordinary weekly wage on the ground of the increased cost of living; whether this petition has been refused mainly on the ground that the war bonus referred to was granted last July; and whether, in view of the increase in the cost of the necessaries of life and the proposal of the Government itself of a minimum wage for agricultural labourers of 25s. per week, the Board will reconsider its decision?
§ Mr. BALDWINI understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the early part of the question. The wages prevailing in the locality do not justify any further increase to these men.