§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the continued announcements that the labourers in the Irish Lights Department, Kingstown, are paid the local rates of wages are not correct; if he is aware that discontent is rapidly growing in the service owing to the. way the Commissioners deal with their labourers; if he is aware that the wages paid in Kingstown are: Irish Lights labourers, 22s. and 3s. war bonus, and they have to supply themselves with white canvas suits; Kingstown Urban District, labourers, 22s. and 4s. bonus to 28s. and 4s. bonus, with clothes and boots; Board of Works labourers, 18s. and 20s. per week with 9s. bonus; Kingstown Gas Company, 28s. per week; if he is aware that, although the wages paid by these firms are inadequate to meet the increased cost of living, the lowest paid is the Irish Lights; and if he will see that these men are paid the same rate as is paid by the Trinity Board in England to men engaged on similar work?
§ Mr. G. ROBERTSMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The intention is that the 2147W labourers employed by the Irish Lights Commissioners at Kingstown are to be paid the current local rate of wages and war bonus. The Commissioners inform me that they are making inquiries with regard to the figures mentioned in the question, and that they will increase their rates if these are found to be less than the generally accepted standard rate now paid in the district.