HC Deb 19 June 1911 vol 27 cc14-6
Mr. EDGAR JONES

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the firm of Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold is on the lists of Admiralty contractors; and, if so, whether he will inquire into the grievances of the moulders on strike at their Dowlais works, and, if satisfied that the firm is not complying with the fair wages conditions of the Admiralty, whether he will remove the name of the firm from the Admiralty lists?

Mr. McKENNA

The firm in question are on the Admiralty list. No complaint has been received in respect of the wages paid by them under the Fair-Wages Clause of Admiralty contracts. Current Admiralty contracts with the firm do not include moulders' work. Questions relating to grievances of workmen on strike would more properly be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. C. DUNCAN

Is the First Lord aware that this particular firm is the worst wage-paying firm there is in the country?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware that that is so. As a matter of fact on Admiralty contracts no complaints have reached me.

Mr. EDGAR JONES

Does not the right hon. Gentleman suspect that perhaps other wages paid are on a par with these, and will he not inquire?

Mr. McKENNA

Until I have had complaint there is no ground for inquiry. If the hon. Gentleman will give me grounds for making representations and inquiries I shall do so.

Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS

Is it the practice of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to recognise a firm as fair provided that on Government work they pay the recognised rate of wages, though not in other Departments?

Mr. McKENNA

We have no knowledge of the rates of pay that firms pay for work except our own. We have no general right to go and inspect the whole of the contractor's works except so far as they do work for us and upon our work. I have no knowledge of what affairs outside are. On our work I understand they have been paying a fair wage.

Mr. TYSON WILSON

Did not the Government give us a promise when the Fair- Wage Clause was before the House that any firm that did not habitually pay the standard rate of wages would be struck off the Government list?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware that that statement was made. The statement was the payment of fair wages upon Government work. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh."]