§ Mr. Pearsonasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will state the reasons why the forest workers continue to be refused payment of their wages in weekly rather than fortnightly periods?
§ Sir G. CourthopeFortnightly pay periods were adopted as forest workers are often employed over very scattered areas, and weekly payments would involve a serious loss of time on the part of the forester. Moreover employment is often on a piece-work basis and weekly checking of quantities of work performed would entail a further loss of time. Although these difficulties may not arise in a few forests it is advisable, for administrative purposes, to standardise pay periods in a large concern such as the Forestry Commission. In cases of hardship, however, advances on account of wages are made before the end of the pay period.