MR. DALZIEL&c.) (Kirkcaldy,I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the scale of prices annexed to the particulars of contract for vellum and 1436 account book binding for Her Majesty's Stationery Office is based upon the recognised prices of men's labour; and whether he, and the Controller with him, are responsible for seeing that any firm receiving a contract does pay such wages for labour as are recognised by the trade concerned?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HIBBERT,) OldhamNo, Sir; the scale of prices is not based upon the recognised prices for men's labour as distinguished from other labour, but represents only what past experience has led the Stationery Office to believe to be fair proportional prices for different classes of work on which bids could be taken. Certainly, I hold myself bound to take every step I can, in concert with the Stationery Office, to secure strict compliance with the Resolution of the House of Commons.