MR. HERBERT (Buckinghamshire, Wycombe)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an order for 700 chairs was recently placed in Wycombe; that the price necessitated such chairs being made by machinery, and that machine-made chairs are unsatisfactory in quality and durability; and whether he will insert in any future contracts for chairs a provision that they shall be hand-made, and that the rate of wages paid under such contract shall be not less than the trade union rate.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.)The War Department has no desire to give preference to either hand-made or machine-made chairs, but my hon. friend may rest assured that the usual precaution will be taken to ensure that supplies are in accordance with the terms of the contract. The customary clause requiring the payment of the current rate of wage for competent workmen in the district is one of the conditions of the contract.