§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport whether, in approving the recent further increase in the wages of railway men on the ground that they were not so well paid as other workers in similar occupations, the Government took into consideration the special privileges possessed by railway workers, such as free uniforms, free passes for themselves and their families when on holiday, privilege tickets entitling them to travel at reduced fares, and in the country garden and allotment ground at nominal rent; and what monetary value was put upon these and other privileges?
§ Mr. NEALThe special privileges possessed by railway workers were taken into consideration by the National Wages Board in fixing the increases in wages which were recommended by the Board. The value of the clothing supplied to certain grades was put by the Board at 2s. 7d. per week. It is not possible to give any definite figure as to the monetary value of other privileges such as cheap tickets, free passes, etc., owing to the great variation in their value in different districts, and between individuals in the same district.