§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury E.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether Messrs. Foster and Dicksee, who have the contract to build the New Record Office, have applied for permission to sub-let a portion of the stone work to Messrs. George Smith and Company; and whether this permission has been granted; and if so, will he state what steps have been taken to inquire into the necessity for granting permission to sub-contract?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREActing on the advice of the Board of Works' architect, I acceded to an application from Messrs. Foster and Dicksee, the contractors for the erection of the additional buildings at the Record Office, for permission to sub-let to Messrs. George Smith and Company a small portion of the working of the stone, in order that the building might proceed more rapidly before the setting in of the bad weather. Messrs. Foster and Dicksee are not relieved from any responsibility under their contract, and Messrs. George Smith and Company, having been required to adhere to the terms of the Resolution of the House as to wages, have assured me that they pay the full rate of wages and comply with the Rules of the Masons' Society. I may add that a deputation of workmen came to the Office of Works on the subject, and the matter was explained to them, and as I have not heard again from them, I presume they were satisfied.
§ MR. J. BURNSMay I ask the First Commissioner whether, having sublet the contract for stone, the Clerk of the Works would take care that the stone used shall be from its natural bed, so that there will be no "scaling"?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRECertainly.