§ MR. BROADHURST (Nottingham)asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is true that the female operative weavers employed by the firm of Messrs. Colbeck Brothers, of Averthorpe, Yorkshire, who are now on strike against a further reduction of wages, have been weaving cloth for the use of the War Department at wages of about half the rate given by other firms in Yorkshire for similar work; and whether Messrs. Colbeck Brothers obtained the contract direct from the Government or through some other agency?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEThe contracts held by Messrs. Colbeck, of Averthorpe, were obtained direct by open competition. The War Office has no cognizance of the relations between the firm and its operatives beyond the fact that a strike has taken place.