HC Deb 19 June 1890 vol 345 c1351
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether it is intended at the end of the present contract to cause the staff employed in general cleaning, painting roofs, &c, of the Houses of Parliament, to be paid through the Clerk of the Works, without any deduction of their pay for the benefit of a middleman?

MR. C. GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

Before that question is answered I will ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the London County Council has done everything in its power to eliminate the presence of middlemen in the sense indicated in this question from all its contracts?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. PLUNKET,) Dublin University

I am not responsible for the action of the London County Council.

MR. C. GRAHAM

I am afraid I made myself but imperfectly understood. I wished to know if the right hon. Gentleman was aware of the fact I have stated.

MR. PLUNKET

I do not think I am required to express any opinion on that subject.

MR. C. GRAHAM

Still I have not made myself plain—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! What the London County Council may have done has nothing whatever to do with this question.

MR. PLUNKET

The system under which contracts for labour and materials are entered into by the Office of Works has been referred to a Departmental Committee, with a view to the matter being fully considered before any fresh contract is entered into. This Committee will inquire into the question as to the mode of paying the staff employed about the Houses of Parliament to be adopted in the future.