HC Deb 12 February 1913 vol 48 cc939-40
36. Mr. O'GRADY

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware of the fact that the Master Builders' Association of London has advanced the labourers' wages one halfpenny per hour; whether he is aware that the painters' labourers employed by contractors on Government buildings in London are not receiving the advance in wages; and can he explain why?

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)

The First Commissioner is informed by the Master Builders' Association of London that painters' labourers are not included in the classes of labour benefiting by the advance.

Mr. O'GRADY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that master builders themselves have advanced the wages of their employés, and that this is simply a quibble to try to get out of the obligation?

Mr. BENN

If the hon. Member makes it clear that it is the same class of labour in this agreement, then it will be seen that the Fair-Wages Clause is properly observed.

Mr. JOHN WARD

Do these master builders suggest that the painters' labourers have been excluded from the labourers in the building trade?

Mr. BENN

I have the correspondence, and their reply on the point is in the answer I have given.

Mr. W. THORNE

Was this agreement before the labourers' council, to which these men are attached?

Mr. BENN

It only remains for the hon. Member to show that the labour is of the same class as that referred to, and the Fair-Wages Clause will be obeyed.