asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why shipwrights at Malta are paid at the rate of 30s. per week whilst boiler-makers are paid a higher rate, when in the home dockyards both these classes are paid the same rate of 48s. per week?

The circumstances affecting the assessment of wages, and the relation between the rates for the several classes, are not the same at Malta as in England. I may add that nearly 70 per cent. of the shipwrights at Malta are on base rates higher than 30s. a week, and that men on this rate are actually paid with bonus the rate of 42s. a week.

Has there been a request recently from these men for consideration of their case?

I could not say without notice, but it has not been brought to my attention.