§ Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if contracts with Messrs. Gwynnes, of Hammersmith, in respect to work begun in the autumn of last year, were made subject to the terms of the Fair-Wage Resolution adopted by this House on 10th March, 1909; if the firm named undertook to pay wages in accordance with the conditions laid down in such Resolution; if, in the recent inquiry into the allegations made against the firm, the comparison was made with other firms in London, taking London as a district; if any engineering federated firms were found to be paying as low a rate of wages to fitters, turners, pattern-makers, or moulders; and if, in conducting the inquiry, any means were adopted of checking the statements made by or on behalf of the firm by independent testimony by or on behalf of the men of the trades mentioned.
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. George Lambert)The contracts placed by the Admiralty with this firm in the autumn of last year contained, for reasons explained by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 15th February last, the old Fair-Wages clause. As regards the recent inquiry as the contracts concerned contained only the old Fair-Wages Clause, the investigation was confined to the locality in which 692 the work was carried out. There are no federated firms in this district. The firm's books and wages sheets were examined by an Admiralty inspector, and two representatives of the workmen were interviewed by him.
§ Mr. BARNESAre we to understand that the Fair-Wages Clause adopted by this House on 10th March, 1909, is not yet in operation?
§ Mr. LAMBERTYes, it is in operation, but not in regard to this particular contract, for reasons already explained by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. BARNESThey have not been explained. When was the Fair-Wages Clause first put into operation as far as Admiralty contracts were concerned?
§ Mr. LAMBERTI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. BARNESWhy was London taken as out of the district There are no other firms in the immediate locality.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWe carried out the conditions of the old Fair-Wages Clause. If the new one had been in operation it would have been enforced.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that under the old Fair-Wages Clause the Government are required to pay wages which are generally accepted in the trade as current for competent workmen. Are these the wages generally recognised as current for competent workmen?
§ Mr. LAMBERTI have given an answer to the question on the Paper. If the hon. Gentleman wants further information perhaps he will kindly put down a question.
§ Mr. BARNESI will try again, but it is almost hopeless.