§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Under Secretary of State for War, whether he was aware that Messrs. Richard Garrett and Sons, Limited, engineers, Leiston, Suffolk, contractors to the Government, were not paying the recognised trade union rate of wages to workmen, and were endeavouring to force workmen to sign a document stating that they were not and would not be members of a trade union; 946 whether he was aware that a number of workmen had been discharged in consequence of membership of a trade union; and if he intended taking action in the matter?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Tennant)The firm in question has been communicated with and denies the allegations made against them. Any War Office contract they may receive would contain the Fair-Wages Clause, with which strict compliance would be required. They do not at present hold any War Office contract.
§ Mr. CLYNESCannot the hon. Gentleman take steps to bring the two parties together to get at the truth of the allegation in the question?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will endeavour to do so.