§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked what are the lowest, the highest, and the average rates of wages paid to employés of the Government in the Forest of Dean district, distinguishing between wages paid to workers under and over eighteen years of age?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWoodmen in the Forest of Dean are paid 18s. per week, and have cottages free of rent, and other emoluments. Able-bodied adult labourers are paid at the rate of 18s. a week when working by time, and no deduction is made for time lost by bad weather. When engaged on wood-cutting or on piece-work they earn more. Many of these men have cottages at less than their value. Boys from fourteen to seventeen years of age start at a wage of 7s. per week, with an annual increase. Young men from seventeen to twenty-one years of age acting as1636W labourers receive wages ranging from 15s to 17s. per week. There are, of course, various employés holding positions superior' to those of woodmen, who receive a good deal higher pay.