I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what steps, if any, have been taken to provide old-age pensions for the aged employees of his Department at Deptford, Chatham, Greenwich, and Portsmouth, in accordance with the Resolution adopted by the House of Commons on 6th March, 1893.

The Resolution referred to did not require the Admiralty to provide old-age pensions for aged employees, nor was it limited to the four establishments mentioned. I may odd that since the date of the Resolution the hours of labour have been reduced, wages have been generally increased, notably during the last year, and insurance against accident has been provided by the Government scheme, which is more favourable to the workmen than the Workmen's Compensation Act.