asked the Minister for Defence whether a number of skilled tradesmen were taken into Army employment at the Armoury Department, Island Bridge, on an agreement that they would receive a living-out allowance of 28s. weekly; whether the Paymaster, acting on instructions from the Quartermaster-General, has within the past fortnight notified these men that the allowance is to be reduced to 14s. weekly, and that if they were not prepared to acquiesce in the reduction they would be discharged at once; and whether the Minister will make enquiries with a view to preventing this breach of agreement.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - SKILLED TRADESMEN IN ARMY.
The men referred to have been taken on as ordinary soldiers. An allowance of 4s. per day has hitherto been paid in lieu of accommodation and messing to soldiers not accommodated in Barracks. This allowance has recently been reduced to 2s. per day.
There was no agreement such as is suggested entered into. I am making enquiries as to the general circumstances out of which such suggestion may arise.
Does the Minister recognise that payment over a few weeks is tantamount to an agreement to pay?