§ Sir IVOR PHILIPPSasked the Secretary of State for War whether there are two different scales of wages for civilian 56W labourers in the Army Ordnance Department working at Southampton and at Portsmouth; and whether the wages paid to these labourers at Southampton are below the wages paid for similar work at the port of Southampton, and also below the wages paid to the same class of men at Portsmouth?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe wages paid to unskilled labourers in the Army Ordnance Department to-day are lower at Southampton than at Portsmouth. The rate of wage is fixed in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution of the House, and, consequently, varies with the locality. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any reason to believe that the rate at Southampton is below that now paid for similar work by other employers in the locality, I shall be glad to have full particulars.