§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Peacock, of Wandsworth, who are on the list of contractors to the War Office, employ a very large amount of boy labour, and do a great deal of their work piecework, which is contrary to the rules signed by the master carpenters and joiners of London and the operatives; that the firm absolutely refuse to comply with the said rules; whether he will take steps to induce this firm to conform with the rules signed by the employers and operatives; and, failing which, whether he will remove this firm from the list of contractors invited to tender for work in connection with his department.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Messrs. Peacock, although on the list of contractors, do not hold at present any contract. Should a contract be made with them at any future time it would contain the usual wages provisions, strict observance of which would be required.