§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state whether there are any provisions in the contract for the printing of the House of Commons Debates to prevent its being sent to firms who employ hands at rates of wages not recognised by the trade; whether Messrs. Wyman and Sons house at Reading is known in the printing trade as a fair house; and whether, before renewing the contract, inquiries will be made as to whether the existing contract is being carried out in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINMessrs. Wymans are bound to conform to the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not doing so. If any specific allegation of a breach of the terms of their contract is laid before me, I will at once investigate it.
§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)May I ask the hon. Gentleman what he considers a fair wage for women in accordance with Fair Wages Resolution. Is there any standard?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThat is obviously a question to which no 995 general answer can be given. It depends on the circumstances of each trade and locality.
§ MR. NANNETTIHow then can this contract be carried out in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution—
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, Order.