§ Mr. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, if he is aware that the firm of Davidson and Company, Limited, Sirocco Works, Belfast, in addition to refusing a number of their workmen the right to combine in legal organisation, employ labourers in their fan department at wages ranging from 15s. to 25s. per week upon boilermakers' work, in the stove-fitting department to do fitters' work at wages from 25s. to 27s. per week, and a number of this class of workmen are doing the work of sheet-metal workers at wages varying from 17s. to 25s. per week; whether the name of this firm remains on the Admiralty list as a contractor to His Majesty's Government; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take, if any, to see that the Fair Wages Resolution of the House is observed.
§ MR. LAMBERTThe Admiralty have no information on the points mentioned in the Question, and could only intervene in case of a breach of the Fair Wages- 91 Resolution in the execution of an Admiralty contract. If the hon. Member brings any such breach to my notice, inquiry will at once be instituted.
§ *MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)Are we to understand that it is only if a contractor violates the clause in respect of a particular Government contract that the Admiralty can interfere; that no regard is paid to the general rate of wages paid by the firm?
§ MR. LAMBERTI can only say if the hon. Member has any facts to bring to my notice they will be considered.