HC Deb 31 October 1912 vol 43 cc566-7
73. Mr. JOHN WARD

asked whether the Advisory Committee received the names of fourteen firms working within the Rosyth district who were paying their navvies and labourers a minimum of not less than sixpence per hour?

Mr. BUXTON

I am informed by the Chairman of the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee that the Committee had before them copies of the memorandum supplied by my hon. Friend, which contained the names of seventeen firms said to be paying, or to have agreed to pay, sixpence an hour as a minmum rate for navvies and labourers.

Mr. J. WARD

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why it is that, in spite of the overwhelming evidence in favour of the minimum wage of 6d. per hour, the Advisory Committee decided in favour of 5d.?

Mr. BUXTON

They took all the information available into account and they came to that conclusion.

Mr. O'GRADY

Is it not the practice of the Advisory Committee to accept the statement of fact that a number of firms are paying a certain rate and then apply that certain rate to Government work?

Mr. BUXTON

It depends on the circumstances of those particular firms whether they are actually paying this rate, their size, and so on. There are a great many other considerations come in, but I have no doubt that the Advisory Committee took them all fully into account.

74. Mr. J. WARD

asked whether the Advisory Committee held any sitting in Scotland during their inquiry into the rate of wages at Rosyth; whether any witnesses were examined by the Committee during their alleged investigation; if so, how many; and what was the number of such witnesses who appeared for the Admiralty and contractor, and the number for the workmen?

Mr. BUXTON

I am informed by the Chairman that no sitting of the Committee was held in Scotland, but an independent investigator was sent to Scotland to make inquiries on their behalf. Witnesses were not examined, but written statements were received from my hon. Friend and from the contractors.

Mr. J. WARD

Do I understand that the inspector who was deputed to make inquiries in Scotland was the notorious Mr. Gemmell, the manager of the Labour Exchange at Rosyth, who went to Ireland for cheap labour?

Mr. BUXTON

I do not know, but if the hon. Member will put down a question I will answer it.