§ MR. MICHAEL AUSTIN (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he has had inquiries made into the allegations concerning the system under which Government printing and bookbinding contracts are being executed in Ireland; when are such contracts terminable with the present contractors; and will steps be taken to have all printing and bookbinding work executed by firms who comply with the Fair Wages Resolution adopted by this House?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTIn reply to inquiries by the Stationery Office, Messrs. Thorn denied that they had acted in any way in contravention of the Resolution of the House of Commons of February 13, 1891. Three of their contracts, those for book-work printing, job-work printing, and lithography, are terminable on six months' notice at any time; the remaining two tire terminable as follows:— Vellum binding, September 30, 1897; and leather binding, September 30, 1894. As I have frequently stated, steps have already been taken to carry out the Resolution of the House.
§ MR. MICHAEL AUSTINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Queen's Printers only employ junior labour as regards the binding?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTIf the hon. Member wishes further particulars I must ask him to give notice.