§ MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Beard more and Company, Government contractors, Glasgow, do not at their Mossend works conform to the fair wages clause by paying the recognised district rate to enginemen, crane men, boiler men, and firemen, and also to steel smelters in their employ; that the firm have refused to consider a petition submitted by the men's society requesting recognition of their society; that men have been dismissed who, through their union, requested the observance of the district rates; and what steps he proposes to take to insure the observance by this firm of the fair wages clause.
§ *THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. Lambert, Devonshire, South Molton)In answer to inquiry made by the Admiralty, this firm state that the recognised district rate of wages is paid to all their workmen, that no men have been dismissed who, through their union, requested the observance of the district rates; that, as a matter of fact, no such request has ever been made to them; and that they are always willing to recognise a workmen's society, when 1501 such recognition is desired by a majority of the workmen employed in any branch of work.
§ MR. O'GRADYMy Question has special reference to the Mossend works. I quite understand the fair rate is paid at the Glasgow works.
§ *MR. LAMBERTI will inquire further.