asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the different grades of workers employed by the Forestry Commission for Scotland; the minimum and maximum rates of wages in each grade; and with what trade union, or unions, the Commission negotiates wage rates and general conditions of service.

Forest workers employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland are divided into three grades. The first grade receives 5s. per week above the minimum agricultural wage; the second, 2s. 6d. per week above the minimum agricultural wage; and the third, the minimum agricultural wage which is at present 80s. per week. Gangers are paid 11s. per week above minimum agricultural wage. The basic wage of forest workers in Scotland is fixed by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, and any variations, as well as conditions of service, are negotiated by the Forestry Commission Industrial and Trade Council, the trade union side of which is made up of representatives from the Transport and General Workers' Union, the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, and the National Union of Agricultural Workers.