§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Messrs. Harrison, one of the Government printers, are paying less than the recognised rate of wages for pressmen, namely, 38s. per week of 56 hours, the rate paid by the principal firms in the trade; and that, in consequence, Trades Union pressmen have refused to work for the firm; whether the contract with Messrs. Harrison was entered into previous to or since February, 1891; and whether he will state when the contract will come to an end?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTThe contract was entered into previously to February, 1891, and expires at the end of 1896. 1052 Until that time, therefore, I am afraid the Treasury is not in a position to deal with the matters contained in the first paragraph.