asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the rates paid to shipwrights and boilermakers at Gibraltar; and, in view of these two classes of labour in Home yards being paid similar basic rates, will he see to the rates being increased at Gibraltar?

The general rate for shipwrights is 48s. a week. Boilermakers are paid at various rates from 43s. 6d. to 62s. a week. The statement in the last part of the question is incorrect, and the answer is in the negative.

Since when were the boilermakers paid at varying rates?

I cannot tell the hon. Member exactly since when. I can only say what the system is at the present time.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of a claim that is being made from Gibraltar for the shipwrights to be placed on the same level as the boilermakers?

A request from the local shipwrights, for their wages to be increased because some other trades had higher rates was forwarded by local officers in November last.

Has that been approved?

The request was not approved.