§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Secretary for War whether the labourers working in the Army Ordnance Department at Woolwich and district are to have an increase of pay to 25s. per week; whether he will take into consideration the case of men employed in the Army Ordnance Department, His Majesty's Gun-wharf, Portsmouth, who are at present only receiving, labourers 20s. 6d. per week, leading men 22s. per week, and assistant foremen 23s. per week; whether the question of rent (locally) is taken into consideration when fixing the pay of employés in the Government service; and whether he is aware that house rent in Portsmouth is increasing yearly?
§ Mr. HALDANEI hope to make a statement on the general question of the wages of labourers in connection with the Estimates. The question of the men employed at Portsmouth is under consideration. Wages are based on local rates, and the element of rent is, of course, one factor in such rates.