§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if it is the case that the Edison-Swan United Electric Light Company are executing an Admiralty order for incandescent lamps at their works at Ponders End; whether he is aware that a strike began there a fortnight ago, of which the object is to compel the firm to recognise the standard rate of wages; and that one effect of this strike has been to bring out of work 330 women, in addition to about 80 men and boys concerned in the strike itself; and what steps the Admiralty propose to take to secure action by the company on the Resolution of the House of 13th February 1891, so far as it is embodied in the contract?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH, Lancashire, N.E., Clitheroe)The Edison-Swan Company are supplying incandescent lamps under an Admiralty contract. We have no knowledge 1157 as to the strike except through the newspapers and the Electrical Trades Union. The Trades Union have recently complained that the wages paid by the company are contrary to the Resolution of the House; but it was necessary to obtain an explanation (received only yesterday) of their complaint before any communication could be addressed to the company, to whom a letter will now be sent.