§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on 18th December last the staff at the 234W Orthopædic Centre, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle - on - Tyne, petitioned the management for increase in wages and other concessions; that, after considerable correspondence and consideration by various War Office Departments, no decision has been arrived at; that the delay involved in dealing with the application is causing considerable discontent; whether the War Office is now in a position to give a reply to the petition; and whether he can devise improved machinery in order to prevent the delay in dealing with wages applications by the staff in War Office establishments?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONAn application, dated 23rd December, for increased wages, etc., was made to the local military office, and an advance of wages of 3s. a week was authorised on 31st March. Owing to the heavy pressure which still continues, there was some delay in dealing with the matter, but the advance has been authorised with retrospective effect to the 1st January last.