HC Deb 06 July 1904 vol 137 cc782-3
MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. Lysaght, of Bristol, are contractors for the War Office; and, if so, whether it has been brought to his notice that Messrs. Lysaght are discharging men from their employment on account of their membership of a trade union, in contravention of the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons, which has been adopted by all Government Departments; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT

The statements of fact contained in the hon. Member's Question, as to which I have no knowledge, do not indicate any contravention of the Fair Wages Resolution, which obliges this firm, and any firm employed under a Government contract, to pay the rate of wages generally accepted as current for similar work in the same district.

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

Is it a fact that Messrs. Lysaght are doing work for the War Office, and, if so, will the War Office not consider themselves bound to interfere in a case where preference is shown to non-unionists as against unionists.

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT

We do employ Messrs. Lysaght, but under the Fair Wages Resolution there is no obligation on us to compel them to employ any particular persons, unionist or non-unionist.

* SIR CHARLES DILKE

The hon. Gentleman has said that even if the facts are as set forth, the War Office would have no right to interfere.

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT

No, I did not say that.

* SIR CHARLES DILKE

Will the hon. Gentleman acquaint himself with the evidence taken before the Fair Wages Committee, and the debates in which a positive pledge was given on this subject?

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT

I will.

MR. BROADHURST (Leicester)

Will the hon. Gentleman also make himself acquainted with the facts as to whether men are being discharged or not.

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT

I will make inquiries, but in any case I am not clear that we have any power.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)

Is it not the case that in August, 1893, the then Secretary of the Treasury and myself, speaking on behalf of the Government—

* MR. SPEAKER

That is a Question of which, I think, notice should be given.