§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Secretary of State for War what is the minimum rate of wages per hour for navvies and labourers now accepted as fair for the men employed upon the new barracks at Pudford, near the Firth of Forth, within the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons?
§ Mr. HALDANERecent local investigation showed that the rate at present recognised in Edinburgh for competent builders' labourers is 5½d. per hour. The rates paid to labourers employed on pick and shovel work varied considerably, but from 5d. to 5½d. an hour appear to be the wages generally prevailing in practice among good employers for this class of work. Although Redford—to which place the hon. Member presumably alludes—is some little way from Edinburgh, it has been thought right to provide in the contract for the erection of the barracks for the payment of the recognised Edinburgh rates for the time being.