§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Dublin Harbour)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Varian and Company, Dublin, whose tender for the supply of brushes to the Irish Lights Board has received the sanction of the Board of Trade, do not pay to the workmen in their employment the standard rate of wages recognised by the trade society in the district where such men are employed; if the contractors have made it a condition of employment that their workmen shall not be members of the trade union known as the United Society of Brushmakers, and will not allow any of the present employés to join the Brush-makers' Trade Union; and whether he will cause a full inquiry to be made into these allegations in order to secure compliance with the Resolution of the House of Commons of 10th March, 1909, as to rates of wages and proper conditions of labour prevailing in respect of the particular trade in question?
§ Mr. TENNANTMessrs. Varian and Company have obtained the contract with the Commissioners of Irish Lights for the supply of brushes during the year ending 31st March, 1912, subject to the usual conditions as to hours of labour and rates of wages, and I have no doubt the Commissioners will take any steps that may be necessary to see that these conditions are fulfilled.
§ Mr. W. ABRAHAMThe hon. Gentleman has not answered the question as to whether the Board of Trade will make inquiry into the allegations contained in the question—that these contractors do not pay the fair rates of wages?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware that the company has departed from their usual custom, but if the hon. Gentleman will give me a case I will have inquiry made into it.