§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the printing of the House of Commons Debates is now being done at Reading, where women compositors are employed; and whether, seeing that when the contract was given out the employment of male labour at the London rates of wages was contemplated and prices fixed accordingly, he will take steps to see that only this latter class of labour is employed during the existence of the present contract.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. Austen CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.There is nothing in the terms of the contract to prevent the printers of The Parliamentary Debates from having the work done outside London if they think fit, or from employing women as compositors. I have therefore no power to interfere, even if I thought it right, which I do not, to exclude women from Government work for which they are suitable.
§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)May I ask the hon. Gentleman if this contract is carried out in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes Sir, as far as I know, it is. I have had no complaint at all.