§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to the refusal of William Bowers and Company, contractors, of Hereford, to pay the wages and recognise the conditions of labour accepted as fair by other contractors in Cheltenham; whether this firm are contractors for the Office of Works; and what action, if any, the First Commissioner proposes to take to enforce the Fair Wage Resolution of the House of Commons?
The TREASURER Of the HOUSEHOLD (Mr. Dudley Ward)Messrs. William Bowers and Company, of Hereford, are the Maintenance Contractors for the Office of Works in that city. They are under contract to pay the rates of wages current in the district in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution, and no complaints have been received concerning them in their capacity of employers. Messrs. Bowers and Company have no contract for this Department in Cheltenham.