§ MR. KEIR HARDIEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War' whether it has come to his knowledge that Messrs. Wilson and Sons, tent and sail makers, of Belfast, whilst engaged on a War Office contract for tents, reduced the wages of skilled tent-makers from 32s. to 22s. per week; whether, upon the men refusing to accept these terms, they were dismissed and their places filled with unskilled labour and boys; whether this is a violation of the conditions upon which the contract was given out; and whether, in the event of the facts being as stated, he will remove the name of Messrs. Wilson and Sons from the list of War Office contractors.
MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSAs I informed the hon. Gentleman last night, it is impossible for me to answer these questions without full notice. I have been unable as yet to make further inquiries into this matter. But what I believe did occur was this. The contractors for tents originally employed sail makers on the work, and having found it was not necessary to employ so high a standard of labour they resorted—as they were perfectly entitled to do—to tentmakers, in order to complete the contract. The wages of tent makers are less a great deal than those of sail makers, and if that is the case the contractors have not committed any breach of contract, and it is not a matter with which the War Office can interfere.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEIn making, further inquiries will the right hon. Gentleman inquire of the workpeople and the Trades Council?
MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSIf the hon. Gentleman will give me time I will guarantee that very full inquiries shall be made.