MR, BROADHURST (Nottingham, W.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether it is true that a builder, who had a Government contract for building repairs in Manchester, is an absconding bankrupt, and had been paying a lower rate of wages to the workmen engaged than was customary 1566 in Manchester; and what steps are taken to ascertain the respectability of firms before giving them contracts?
§ MR. PLUNKETIt is true that the builder, who held the contract for the Board's ordinary works and repairs in Manchester, has become a bankrupt and is understood to have absconded. The rates of wages paid by him to his workmen did not come under the cognisance of the Board. No representation on the subject was ever made to the Board by the men. Full inquiries are made locally by the Board's officers as to the position of firms before any tender is accepted. In this case such inquiries were made two years ago, and the result appeared at the time satisfactory.
§ *MR. C. GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)Am I to infer that the Government allow their contractors to occupy the position of sweaters?
§ MR. PLUNKETI do not think the hon. Gentleman has a right to infer anything of the kind.
*MR. C.GRAHAMDid I not understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that no inquiry is made as to the rate of wages, but only as to the respectability of the firm?
§ MR. PLUNKETThe contractor sends in a tender for certain work as a whole.
§ *MR. C. GRAHAMIs the tender the sole thing looked to, and not the position of the men who do the work for the Government?
§ MR. PLUNKETThe whole question of contracts has been referred to a Departmental Committee.
§ *MR. C. GRAHAMWhen are we likely to have the Report of the Committee?
§ MR. PLUNKETI cannot say exactly.