asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has considered the communication sent to him from the Transport and General Workers' Union regarding the proposed reduction in wages of the locally entered workers at His Majesty's dockyard, Gibraltar; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

This question deals with the periodical review of rate of bonus in the light of the prevailing cost of living. A reply explaining the circumstances was sent to the union on the 28th instant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when the cost of living basis of calculation came into operation for the workers at Gibraltar?

No, Sir. Not without notice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge that it ever applied, and why it is now being applied to those workers at Gibraltar when it had never applied before?

If the hon. Member wants further information, I shall be grateful if he will put a question down.