§ MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of the firms which recently tendered for the painting, &c, of various barracks in northern districts are regarded by the organisations of workmen as firms which do not conform to the established conditions of work and wages in the trade; and whether he takes any steps to ensure that firms doing work for his department do not repudiate the accredited representatives of the workmen and recognise the trade customs and wages obtaining in the particular trade and district.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Such contracts contain the usual provision that the wages paid in executing them shall be those generally accepted as current in each trade for competent workmen in the district where the work is carried out. Any specific representation that this clause is being infringed will be duly inquired into.