§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what steps (if any) are taken to ensure the observance in accoutrement contracts of the Resolution of the House of 13th February 1891; and, whether he is aware that both time and piece work wages are at variance in respect to the several contracting firms in the London district?
§ *THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. W. WOODALL, Hanley)The Resolution forms a portion of the conditions of every contract; but since, as suggested in the question, accoutrement work is one of the trades in which no universal rates of wage have been fixed under agreement between the workers and their employers, it is only possible to act in the spirit of the Resolution by ascertaining, when complaint is made, that the wages paid do not involve what is known as sweating.
§ MR. DALZIELasked whether his hon. Friend would consider the advisability of circulating copies of the entire Resolution, instead of part of it only?
§ *MR. WOODALLYes.