§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanarkshire, N.W.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury how it happened that the printing of the House was done on such terms as to be almost beyond the endurance of man; and, if Her Majesty's Government could see their way to introduce an Eight Hours' Clause into all contracts for printing done for the House?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.I presume that the hon. Member refers not to the printing of the Votes and Proceedings, but to the printing of Reports and Papers. 381 This is done under a contract which, in accordance with directions given by Resolutions passed by the House of Commons in 1882 on the recommendation of a joint Select Committee of both Houses, was submitted to competition in 1886. There is always great pressure at the opening of the Sessions of Parliament, owing to the amount of printing required for Accounts and Papers, and especially for the Estimates. I do not think that so long as the system of making contracts by open competition is maintained, the Government can interfere between contractors and their workmen, either by insisting on an eight hours' rule, or in any other manner.
§ MR. HOWELLasked whether the hon. Gentleman admitted that the work was done under intolerable circumstances?
§ MR. JACKSONdid not admit that. In the answer which he gave the other day he said that the printers had been working under great pressure, and almost to the utmost of their endurance. He believed that to have been the fact, but from, circumstances over which he had no control, he did not think it could be remedied under the present system.