HC Deb 03 July 1911 vol 27 cc805-6
Mr. EDGAR JONES

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the firm of Guest, Keen and Nettlefold supplies rails and sleepers for the Indian State Railways or other purposes from their Dowlais works; and, if so, whether he will insist that the wages of the workmen employed shall be in accordance with the usual Fair Wages conditions demanded in the case of Government contracts?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)

The firm of Guest, Keen and Nettlefold supply Indian State railways with rails. All contracts entered into by the India Office contain, as my hon. Friend is aware, the usual Fair-Wages Clause, and no complaint has been received that it is not observed by this firm.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked what is the size of the order for rails and sleepers for the Indian State railways placed by the Government with the firm of Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold, Dowlais; whether he is aware that moulders engaged on the job were paid wages in some cases as low as 2s. 11d. per day, and were driven to strike because of an attempt on the part of the firm to alter without notice their conditions of employment, involving a reduction in their rates of pay, and that as a consequence the work is now being done by blackleg labour; and what action he proposes taking to secure the observance of the fair wages clause of this contract?

Mr. MONTAGU

Since the 1st January last 19,616 tons of rails and fishplates have been ordered from Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold. No sleepers have been ordered and no moulders are engaged in executing the contract.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask whether at the Dowlais Ironworks sleepers are being made and stamped "Indian Railways," that those sleepers cannot be made without the work of the moulders who are now on strike against a reduction of wages, and what action he proposes taking to have the matter put right?

Mr. MONTAGU

My information is that sleepers are not being made at the works here, and that no moulders are being employed on those contracts. If the hon. Member has information to the contrary I shall investigate it.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Has the hon. Gentleman made any investigation other than inquiring of the firm themselves what they are doing; has he asked the workmen and got their side of the case?

Mr. MONTAGU

When the hon. Member put down his question, my advisers made inquiry, and this is the information, which I received.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply received I shall at the proper time ask for leave to move the adjournment to discuss this matter.