§ Dr. ADDISONasked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state what are the wages paid to the chairmakers employed on work for the Office of Works, Elephant Building, Newington Butts, and how these wages compare with the trades union rate of wages for that trade; what rate of wages these men were paid when working at Westminster Abbey in connection with the Coronation; and whether they received extra pay for work on Whit Monday, and, if so, how much?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThe chairmakers in question are not in the direct employment of the Department. Their present wages are:—One chairmaker, 10d. an
SALARIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Provision in the Vote for the Department for 1911–12. £ £ Subhead A.—Salaries, Wages and Allowances 93,041 Subhead E.—North Sea Fisheries International Investigation (Technical and Clerical Assistance) 5,992 Subhead L.1.—Royal Botanic Gardens: Salaries and Wages 8,108 Subhead L.2.—Royal Botanic Gardens: Police and Patrols 2,889 110,030 Subhead B.—Travelling and Removal Expenses 25,650 Subhead L.4.—Royal Botanic Gardens: Travelling Expenses 200 25,850 £135,880 £ Gross Total of Vote 274,464 Salaries and Administrative Expenses 135,880 Proportion of Salaries and Administrative Expenses to Gross Total of Vote 49.5 per cent. 1168W
NOTE:— £ In addition to the above sum of £135,880, remuneration amounting approximately to a sum of £5,000 is included under Subhead D. of the Vote for the services of persons engaged in the Collection of Agricultural and Fishery Statistics 5,000 £1,800 is also included under Subhead I. (Improvement of Light Horse Breeding) for the remuneration of Secretaries of County Committees and Sub-Committees With few exceptions the persons engaged in the above services do not give their whole time to the business of the Department. 1,800 Sums amounting to £2,950 are also included under Subhead C.I. (Small Holdings) and K. (Expenses Repayable) for the remuneration of Commissioners and Inspectors or Surveyors who are paid by fees when employed 2,950 £8,341 is also included in the Vote for the wages of gardeners, labourers and other subordinate staff at Kew Gardens 8,341 Total, additional to the sum of £135,880 set out above £18,091 hour; one chairmaker, 9½d. an hour; two improvers, 8d. an hour. The trade union rate for chairmakers employed in the London district varies from 9d. to 11d. an hour, according to the district in which the work is carried out. While these chairmakers were employed at Westminster Abbey their wages were as I have stated, with the exception of one of the improvers, who was then in receipt of 7d. an hour. No extra pay was granted for Whit Monday. It is the practice for the shops to be kept open on Bank Holidays. This was first done at the express request of the workmen who did not wish to lose a day's wage. The rate of wages of these men is under consideration.