§ MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, in view of the fact that the fair wage clause in Government contracts does not preclude unfair or sweating firms from tendering for, and obtaining such contracts, he will consider the advisability of appointing a small Committee of the House to revise and bring up to date such fair wage clause in order to meet the practical purpose to which the principle of fair wage was intended to apply.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo, Sir, it is not thought necessary to appoint such a Committee as the hon. Member suggests. There may no doubt be isolated instances in which the evils which the fair wages clause was designed to prevent still arise in connection with Government contracts, but there is every reason to believe that the clause is a very effective instrument against sweating, and that cases of evasion rarely pass undetected. From inquiries I have made I think the hon. Member may rest assured that the various Departments concerned have taken the necessary steps to secure the equitable operation of this clause.
§ MR. O'GRADYWill the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the various Government Departments defining the real meaning of the clause.