asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state the authority under which the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company is prevented paying to their employees in the Twenty-Six Counties an increase in wages in excess of 2/- per week recently awarded them as the result of a hearing before a tribunal; whether he is aware that an application had been made on behalf of these men for an increase in wages before the making of Emergency Powers (No. 83) Order, that the company is willing to pay a substantial increase and that grave dissatisfaction exists amongst the men because of the fact that the company considers itself prevented from paying such increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company.
The wages of workers covered by Emergency Powers (No. 166) Order may not be increased save by the machinery set up under that Order and amending Orders. Bonus Orders have been made in respect of different classes of employees of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company, authorising payment of the maximum bonus then permissible. A further application has recently been received to increase bonuses to 5/- per week. This application will be dealt with when the necessary formalities have been arranged between the applicant union and the railway company.