§ Captain D. HALLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the weekly wages of the civilian subordinates employed by the War Department at Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, is only 27s. 6d., including 4s. war bonus, that an increase on this bonus to 5s. was given on 7th April, 1917, under No. 773 Southern Command orders, at certain stations only, namely Portsmouth, Plymouth, Devonport, and Portland, making a total of 9s. war bonus, that under Southern Command orders, 4th June, 1917, No. 1213, Weymouth was added to the list, and that under Southern Command orders, 27th June, 1917, No. 1412, Portsea, Gosport, including Forts 490W Gomer, Grange, Rowner, and Brockhurst were added to the list of stations, that on 4th August, 1917, under Southern Command orders, No. 1752, an increase of 3s. at certain stations apply to the same conditions laid down in Southern Command order No. 773, making a total of 12s. war bonus, and that under 22nd December, 1917, Southern Command orders, No. 2831, an increase of 5s. at certain stations, as laid down in Southern Command order No. 773, making a total of 17s. in all, was granted; if he will explain why the Isle of Wight has been left out in issuing these increases, considering it is part of the Portsmouth garrison; if he is aware that food in the island costs more than on the mainland, and that the men have to pay £2 14s. 2d. a ton for coal, and also have to clothe and feed themselves; and if he can see his way to have the above-mentioned increase given to certain Southern Command stations also extended to the Isle of Wight?
§ Mr. FORSTERInquiries will be made as to whether local conditions in the Isle of Wight justify any increase in the present war bonus.