§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Messrs. Haynes and Co. have 956 a contract for the War Office for mess-tins (1811); whether they are paying the men employed on the contract the recognised rate of wages prevailing in the trade for this work; and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe War Office has a contract with Messrs. Haynes for mess-tins, but no complaint of any kind has been received from their workpeople. When the firm tendered in November last they stated that the mess-tins would be made on the sectional system, for which there is not an accepted rate of wages; but they pledged themselves that their men took more money weekly by 10 to 15 per cent. than was earned by men making the same articles elsewhere, and they reported further that their men were perfectly satisfied. The Secretary of State does not consider that further inquiry is necessary.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONWill the hon. Gentleman say what was the date of that Report?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe letter is dated November last.