§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a ease at the Westminster Police Court, reported in The Daily News of 15th November last, in which it was alleged by over 50 workwomen that they
Entirely made soldiers' trousers, including, stripes down the side and button-holes, 8¼d. a pair, and that they were pail at the rate of Is. for making 13 flannel belts with tapes and button-holes,and that even these wages were irregularly paid and were much in arrears: whether he is aware that one woman alleged that she had made 14 pairs of trousers for 9s. 7½d., working morning, noon, and night, but had not been paid; whether these facts are true; and whether, as it was alleged, these transactions took place by arrangement with the Army Clothing Factory with the approval of the War Office?
*THE, FINANCIAL SECRETARY To THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) HanleyIt would appear that the facts in question were not accurately stated 866 in the newspaper reports, and were not to be relied upon. The workers referred to are needlewomen, employed by a charitable association established by the late Lady Marion Alford. Some work which would, under ordinary circumstances, have been performed in the Army Clothing Factory has, out of kindness, been given to these women; and they have been paid rather more than the cost of production in the factory. As regards the actual prices pa id, the Secretary of the Association has written as follows to the daily Press:—
It is not true that they made trousers for 8¼d. The trousers are made by machine, and the workers get that sum for finishing. A good worker can earn from 13s. to 15s. per week. One shilling and two pence per dozen is paid for tacking flannel belts, no button holes. The hours are from 9 to 6 o'clock, with an hour for dinner, and time for tea. There is no such thing as working day and night. No work is allowed to be taken out.
§ MR. HANBURYI beg to give notice that on the Estimates I will call attention to this matter.