§ 44. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether at the telephone factory at Nottingham the hours have been altered from fifty-two to forty-eight per week, and that the men's money has been reduced in some cases 3s. per week; and, if so, whether he will say if this reduction of wages in the case of a reduction of hours is usual in Government Departments; and whether, seeing that now the rates at this factory are below those current in the district for similar work, he will take the Fair-Wage Clause into consideration at this factory?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question put by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 18th instant. The question of the rates of pay for persons employed in the Nottingham factory is receiving consideration.
§ Mr. CLYNESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the case of private firms no corresponding reduction is made in the wages?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo. A reduction would be made where men are paid at hourly rates. Where these men are paid a weekly rate they have the advantage of shorter hours without reduction.