§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, in 1915, 8,753 babies under one year died in Ireland; that out of every 1,000 babies born in twenty-seven principal town districts in Ireland twelve die in the first twenty-four hours, thirty-one in the first seven days, forty-three die in the first month, and 134 die in the first year; if he is aware that every year Ireland loses no fewer than 13,000 children under five years of age; if he will state the Government's proposals to grapple with the problem; if he is aware that the wages paid to casual unskilled workers in Ireland is inadequate to provide the necessaries of life for their children; and if he will state the wages paid to labourers in the Board of Works and Irish Lights Department?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that the figures of infantile and child mortality in Ireland, as stated in the question, are substantially accurate. The Government proposals in regard to maternity and child welfare were communicated to the county borough and urban district councils in Ireland and made public in June last year, and to rural district councils last month. The rates of wages for casual unskilled labour are not fixed by or under the con-414W trol of the Government. The pay of fully efficient labourers in the constant employment of the Commissioners of Public Works varies from 18s. 3d. to 23s. per week, plus 9s. per week war bonus and privileges valued at 1s. 3d. per week. Labourers employed by the Commissioners-of Irish Lights at the Lighthouse Stores at Kingstown are paid wages of 5½d. per hour, plus war bonus of 3s. per week. The Commissioners pay the rate of wages current in the district where labour is employed.