HC Deb 12 November 1906 vol 164 c1038
MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to an arbitration award, dated 1899, fixing labourers' wages in the Ipswich district at a minimum of 5d. per hour; whether his attention has been called to the fact that the contractors for alterations at the Royal Artillery barracks are now paying labourers 3½d. and 4d. per hour; and that one of these labourers was recently threatened with dismissal for asking that he should be paid the trade union rate of 5d. per hour; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.

MR. HALDANE

The award of 1899 is no longer in force. The skilled labourers are paid the current rate of 4½d. per hour. Nothing is known in this Department of any labourer having been threatened with dismissal for asking for 5d. an hour.

MR. J. WARD

This is a matter in which I am personally interested. Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the award was abrogated and was notice given that it was to be altered in any way.

MR. HALDANE

I believe it was abrogated some little time ago. I will inquire if the hon. Member will put another Question.

MR. J. WARD

I will do so.