§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the firm of Lester and Perkins, who have the contract for fitting up the steamship "Rohilla" for conveying troops to India, have sub-let a part of the work to Mr. G. Peacock, of Wandsworth Road, and that he is paying from 2½d. to 3½d. per hour less than the standard rate to his workmen; whether this work was sub-let with his sanction and approval; and whether he will take steps to enforce the terms of the Fair Wages Clause in connection with this sub-contract.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The work referred to was such as could scarcely be considered as involving a sub-letting of a portion of the contract, but the matter has been inquired into, and my information is that the rate paid to the workmen works out in excess of the standard rate accepted as current in the district.