Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the men employed at the Royal Gardens, Kew, who are called upon to work overtime or do patrol duty on Sundays have had no increase in their rate of pay for doing this work for eighteen years; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he can see his way to increase the present rate?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe labourers who are called upon to do patrol duty on Sundays have had no increase in their rate of remuneration for doing this work since the existing rates were sanctioned by the Treasury on 6th March, 1893. The young gardeners who are called upon to work overtime on Sundays, and who, until a year ago, received as remuneration for doing this work a daily rate of 3s. 6d., have during the current financial year been allowed remuneration at the rate of 6d. per hour, making 4s. 3d. for the maximum Sunday duty of 8½ hours. The case of the labourers was taken into consideration by the Treasury when this concession to the young gardeners was agreed upon, but it was not deemed advisable to increase the present rate.