§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what contracts his Department has placed with the firm of Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold, and what portions of such contracts are being carried out at the Dowlais Ironworks of the firm; and whether he has satisfied himself that the terms and conditions of the Fair-Wages Clause are being observed by the firm in connection with these contracts?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe principal orders to this firm are for steel plates and sheets, which are manufactured at the works at Cardiff. No work for the Admiralty is being carried out at Dowlais. No complaint has been made to the Department that the firm is not observing the Fair-Wages Clause in connection with Admiralty contracts. It is the practice of the Department (except in very doubtful cases in unorganised or sweated trades) to undertake investigations into wages only when a complaint is preferred. This is the only practicable course with the many thousands of current contracts. My experience is that if there is the slightest reason for doubt the workers and their organisations promptly bring the matter under notice.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the moulders on strike had been engaged in preparing moulds for castings for parts of the machinery by which the Admiralty plates were rolled, and whether, as they were paid wages as low as 2s. l1d. a day, the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause should not be enforced?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Gentleman will bring any complaint to my notice I will be happy to inquire whether the Fair-Wages Clause can be enforced by the Admiralty, but the information I have is that no part of the work there is being done for the Admiralty.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any inquiry has been made by his Department into the strike of the moulders, which has been 785 going on for ten weeks, and whether no complaints have reached him in connection with that dispute?
§ Mr. McKENNANo complaint has reached me at the Admiralty in respect of any work done at Dowlais, and I am informed that no Admiralty work is being done there. If the hon. Gentleman will give me information, I will be happy to inquire further.