§ Mr. Westwoodasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men who were engaged as painters, carpenters, and joiners, respectively, and are now employed at the Royal Army Ordnance Depot, Stirling; if these men are now classed as factory workers; what is the rate of wages paid per hour; and is the rate per hour paid the standard rate paid in the district for the foregoing trades?
§ Sir V. WarrenderFour carpenters and one painter are at present employed at the Army Ordnance Depot at Stirling. All of these were originally engaged in the crafts in which they are now employed, with the exception of one of the carpenters whose first engagement was as a labourer. There are no joiners at this depot. These men form part of the general body of civilian tradesmen, the majority of whom are engineering mechanics, employed in Army Ordnance Depot workshops. The present rate of wages paid is 72s. for a week of 48 hours. This is 4s. above the standard rate of the engineering mechanics, which has been agreed with the trade unions concerned as appropriate for wood-working craftsmen in the Army Ordnance Depots generally.