asked the Home Secretary what are the rates of wages of civilian instructors or assistants who were trained in outside industries and employed at their appropriate trades in prisons and institutions; and if, having regard to recent increases of pay of tradesmen serving under the War Office and the Admiralty, he will consider the position of similar ratings in the prison service with a view of improving their rates of pay?

The existing rates are from £3 10s. to £4 5s. a week. My attention had already been drawn to the considerations to which the hon. Member refers, and the question whether a revision of the existing rates is desirable is at the present time under consideration.

Is it a fact that when a reduction of wages takes place in a trade outside, a corresponding reduction takes place inside this service?