§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether be is aware that the platers' helpers and the labourers employed in the engine, boiler, and foundry shops in Messrs. Harland and Wolff's shipyard, Belfast, to the number of 770, are on strike for an advance of wages; whether the wages earned by these men, and that when in full employment, ranged from 12s. to 18s. per week; whether any of them were employed in connection 441 with Government contracts; and whether the Admiralty in giving out con- tracts will make it a condition that all unskilled labourers he paid a minimum rate of 6d. per hour?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHNo Admiralty contracts are in process of execution by this firm, nor have we any knowledge on the statements in the hon. Member's question. The condition as to wages introduced in all Admiralty contracts is not that suggested by the hon. Member's question, but in accordance with the House of Commons Resolution, as follows:—
The wages paid in the execution of this eon-tract shall be those generally accepted as current in each trade for competent workmen in the district where the work is carried out.