§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Postmaster-General whether the inquiry into a complaint made in January of last year respecting the wages paid by Messrs. Charles Webster, Limited, royal mail contractors, to the farriers in their employ 837 has yet been completed; if so, whether he is now prepared to call upon the firm to observe the fair wage clause by paying their farriers the current rate of wages; and, if the inquiry has not yet been completed, whether he will state the reason for the delay in inquiring into the matter, the facts as stated by the trade union concerned not appearing by the correspondence that has taken place to be disputed?
§ Mr. BUXTONIt has been necessary in the case to which my hon. Friend refers to make full inquiry in regard to the wages not only of farriers but also of other classes of workmen employed by Messrs. Charles Webster, Limited, on work incidental to The performance of the mail service. The ease has presented exceptional difficulties, but I hope to be in a position to arrive at a decision at an early date. The existing contract has not the advantage of the new fair wage clause.