§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that khaki uniforms are being made in the homes of the poor in the East End of London; whether this is in conformity with the Fair Wages Resolution of this House; whether he can state who are the contractors; whether this domestic employment is a case of sub-contracting; whether he is aware that some of the contractors are working their employees seven days per week; and, if this is not sweating, what action he intends to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) If the hon. Member is referring to the making of uniforms for the Regular 1703 Forces, all home work is strictly forbidden by the contracts, and I have no reason to think that the rule is being broken. If the hon. Member will bring to my notice any specific case of alleged infringement of the rule or any case where employees are working seven days a week inquiry will at once be made and stringent action taken if the allegations are found to be justified. If the reference is to the making of uniforms for the Territorial Force, I can only refer the hon. Member to my Answer of the 28th instant.