§ MR. C. SHAW (Stafford)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he would explain why the contract for Navy boots has been removed from Stafford; and whether the Admiralty is aware that in the district where the contract is now placed no Trades Union exists to protect the employes; that the work is made and finished in the homes of the workmen; that there is no restriction as to the number of hours worked by men and boys; and that the wages are 3½d. per pair less than the wages which were paid in Stafford?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHNo contract for Navy boots has been removed from Stafford; but when recently tenders were invited for new contracts, the Stafford tender was the highest, and was, therefore, unsuccessful. The contracts, which contain the usual clause requiring the payment of the current wages of the district, were placed in several widely scattered districts of Great Britain, in some of which Trades Unions exist, though not in all. All the work is done in factories, except in Northamptonshire, where a small part of it is done in the workpeople's homes (free from restrictions as to hours, &c). This is in accordance with old local customs, which are dying out in consequence of the introduction of machinery. I am informed that as regards part of the Northamptonshire contracts—namely, at Raunds, the wages are 3½d. per pair less than at Stafford. Communications from the Trades Union and Trades Council of Stafford on this subject are now under consideration at the Admiralty.