HC Deb 06 July 1893 vol 14 cc973-4
MR. WOODS (Lancashire, Ince)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that printing or other work is being done for the Government by a firm at Newton le Willows, Lancashire, which does not allow its employés to join the Trade Union belonging to their trade; and, if so, whether he can undertake or arrange on behalf of the Government that, in the future, Government work shall not be placed with firms or employers who will not allow their workpeople to belong to the Unions of their respective trades?

SIR J. T. HIBBERT

I am afraid I cannot add to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on Tuesday, to the effect that the Resolution of the House of Commons of February 13, 1891, does not authorise the Treasury to inquire whether contractors do or do not employ Trade Union labour.

MR. WOODS

In consequence of the unsatisfactory answer I have received, I shall be obliged to call attention to this subject on some future day.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (West Ham, S.)

Does not the Resolution of March 6 cover cases of this kind?

SIR J. T. HIBBERT

I must ask for notice of that question.