HC Deb 26 April 1917 vol 92 cc2603-5W
Captain D. HALL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if at the present time the Royal Engineers are employing in the Isle of Wight carpenters at only 9d. per hour and labourers at 7d. per hour, and no war bonus; if at shipbuilding and aeroplane works in the Isle of Wight, doing Government work, carpenters are paid l1d. per hour and labourers 8d. per hour, and also a weekly war bonus of 5s., which is to be increased this month to 7s. per week; and, if so, why the War Office underpay these men and give them no war bonus?

Mr. FORSTER

I am having inquiry made, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result.

Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any application for an increase of wages or a war bonus has been received from the men employed at the remount depot, Balmoral, Belfast; whether these men work nine hours per day on the seven days of the week for 30s. per week; whether their wages have been reduced twice since they started work; whether all other Government workmen in the Belfast district have got an increase of wages or a war bonus; and whether the War Office will issue an order immediately that the men employed at Balmoral shall receive an adequate increase of wages or a war bonus?

Mr. FORSTER

I will make inquiry into the various points raised, but I may say that an increase of 3s. has just been approved, making the weekly rate 29s. for men employed as labourers at the remount depot referred to.

Mr. FIELD

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what the rates of wages or scales of pay are at Woolwich and Dublin, respectively, for the following classes employed in the Ordnance Department: for labourers, foremen, storeholders, principal foremen, messengers, writers, and foremen writers?

Mr. FORSTER

The rates at present current (including war rises) are:

— Woolwich. Dublin.
Labourers 39s. 29s.
Foremen 37s. to 47s. 34s. to 42s.
Storeholders 48s. to 78s. 45s. to 78s.
Principal foremen 60s. to. 78s. 43s. to 57s.
Messengers 69s. to 41s. 29s. to 31s.
Writers—
2nd class 40s. to. 42s. 30s. to. 40s.
1st class 43s. to. 56s. —
Foremen Writers 57s. to. 70s. 41s. to. 53s.

Mr. FIELD

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on what basis the rates or scales of wages have been fixed for ordnance employés at Dublin; and whether, in view of the recent Report of the Board of Trade showing an increase of 99 per cent. in the cost of commodities as compared with 1914, the question of wages will be reopened and statements taken from workers as to the purchasing power of their wages?

Mr. FORSTER

The general basis of the wages for ordnance employés in Dublin is the Fair-Wages Resolution of this House. The question of purchasing power affects all localities alike, and the men at Dublin have had as much war bonus (7s. a week in all, including 3s. in February last) added to their wages as those at any other place where conditions are similar.