§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War if Messrs. Tighe, of 7, St. Andrew's Street, Dublin, are doing War Office work; whether he is aware that this firm are employing women at wages varying from 4s. to 8s. per week, and that overtime is paid at the rate of 2d. per hour in some cases and 1d. per hour in others, with tea and a bun extra; 226W whether frequent representations have been made by the women for increases of wages, and these representations have been abortive except that war bonuses of 2s. and 1s. a week have been paid since August last; and whether he proposes to do anything to end this condition of things?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe firm referred to is engaged on War Office work. The attention of the War Office was drawn last month to this matter and immediate inquiries were made which go to show that the earnings of some of the younger employés are as stated. Nothing is known by the War Office of the war bonus referred to. As the Irish Women Workers' Union has now given twenty-one days' notice to the firm of its intention to call out the workers on strike the matter has been referred to the Chief Industrial Commissioner, according to the usual practice in such cases.