HC Deb 16 October 1912 vol 42 cc1215-8
39. Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the nature of the communication received by his Department from the contractors of the Rosyth dock works which induced him to send Mr. H. Gemmell, Labour Exchange superintendent at Rosyth, on a cheap labour recruiting expedition to the badly paid districts of Ireland; how many other representatives of his Department or the Rosyth contractor accompanied Mr. H. Gemmell; what were their instructions; and who paid the Labour Exchange manager's expenses?

Mr. BUXTON

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley, on the 8th October, of which I am sending him a copy. Mr. Gemmell was sent to Ireland, not for the purpose suggested in the question, but to select the most suitable applicants from among a number of men who had applied. The expenses of his journey were borne by the Department. Two representatives of the contractors also went over.

Mr. J. WARD

Is there a Labour Exchange in Dublin? And was Mr. Gemmell's visit in order to get this supply where labour was cheap, and is there any other instance since the Labour Exchanges were established where recruiting has been started in districts where labour is cheap?

Mr. BUXTON

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put the question down. Mr. Gemmell went to Dublin to see that the labour provided was of a suitable quality. Of course, there is a Labour Exchange in Dublin.

Mr. WARD

Was one of his points that he was to get navvies for fivepence an hour, the lowest rate the Government has decided for navvies?

Mr. BUXTON

No.

Mr. WARD

I beg to give notice that on the Motion for the Adjournment to-night I shall call attention to the matter, and see if we cannot get a straight answer.

40. Mr. J. WARD

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will say on what date Messrs, Easton Gibb, contractors for Rosyth, informed his Department that they were unable to secure a sufficient number of navvies and labourers at 5d. per hour, and requested the assistance of his Department to recruit labour in different parts of the country at that rate of wages?

Mr. BUXTON

The vacancies were notified by the contractor on 4th September, but no communication of the nature suggested in the question has been received.

Mr. J. WARD

Was the statement that there was a shortage of labour at Rosyth made in the communication, and was a request made that that labour should be supplied at the minimum of 5d. per hour.

Mr. BUXTON

As I understand the position the contractors who applied to the Labour Exchange stated that they were undertaking fresh works at the request of the Admiralty, and that they required a certain number of men, and naturally they went to the Labour Exchange to see if they could supply them. The local Labour Exchange was unable to supply them, and it was thought that they could obtain labour from elsewhere. A certain number of men had applied from the Dublin Labour Exchange, and so Mr. Gemmell went over to see if the men were suitable, and they were offered the current rate of wages in the district.

Mr. KEBTY-FLETCHER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 5d. in money does not now possess its normal value on account of the high cost these men have to pay for housing their wives and families?

Mr. BARNES

Is there any precedent for a Government Department relieving the contractors by undertaking the duty of sifting out applicants for work?

Mr. BUXTON

I do not know, but the point is this, and I think it is a sensible one on his part. A certain number of men were required and a certain number had applied, and he was anxious, naturally, not to bring over men who would be unsuitable and would not be able to obtain work if they came, and would merely have to be sent back to Ireland. I take that to be the position.

Mr. BARNES

Is it not the duty of the contractor to do that?

Mr. BUXTON

Surely, it is the duty of the Labour Exchange to supply suitable labour for any particular work?

Mr. DUNCAN

I wish to know whether the right hon. Gentleman on every occasion will send one of the men in charge of the Labour Exchange to sort out the applicants for labour?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, where it is thought, advisable that will be done, and where it is thought to be unnecessary it will not be done.