§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in connection with the complaint as to the non-observance of the Fair Wage Clause by Messrs. Charles Webster, Limited, Royal mail contractors, as regards the farriers in their employ, a fireman at the firm's depot at Imperial-street, Bromley, E., whose wages have been increased from 33s. to 38s., is still receiving 4s. below the district rate, which is 42s. per week, and that at the firm's Whitechapel depot a fireman is paid 37s. 6d. per week, the district rate being 42s., and a doorman is paid 33s., the district rate being 36s.; whether he is aware that all the farriers in the employ of the firm are worked 60 hours per week, although the maximum number of hours recognised in the trade is 54; and will.he say what action he proposes to take in these cases?
§ Mr. BUXTONI recently informed Mr. Webster that it had come to my notice that they were not paying the recognised rate to farriers employed on Post Office contract, and they undertook to pay the recognised rate, namely, 7s. a day for firemen and 6s. a day for doormen. As regards, however, the firemen and doormen employed at the contractors' Bromley and Whitechapel depots, I understand they do not perform any Post Office work, with the exception of one man at Bromley, who sometimes performs work incidental to the mail contract. I propose to make further inquiry respecting this man's duty and wages. I am already in communication with the Board of Trade in regard to what is the usual number of hours worked per day by farriers in London.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to inflict any penalty upon the firm for not having paid the proper wages in connection with their contract?
§ Mr. BUXTONI drew the firm's attention to the matter, and the farriers have had their wages raised. If they are not 2290 paid the matter can be further inquired into.