HC Deb 12 February 1913 vol 48 c954
99. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can ascertain if any of the linen-weaving firms involved in the Lurgan dispute, Ireland, hold any contracts under any of the various Government Departments, with a view to ascertaining whether such firms have been observing the Fair-Wages Clause in their contracts?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)

The Board of Trade have no contracts for linen. I am unable to answer for other Departments, and I would suggest that my hon. Friend should make inquiries of the War Office, Admiralty, and possibly the Prison Commissions of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

100. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the existence of a trade dispute for the past four weeks in the linen-weaving trade in Lurgan, Ireland, in which over 1,500 workpeople are concerned, and that the wages earned by men average between 10s. and 12s. a week; whether his Department has opened up communications with the patries involved in the dispute; whether there is any hope of the good offices of the Board being used to effect a settlement; and whether he will ascertain what were the average weekly wages paid to men by the firms involved in this dispute during the four weeks preceding the dispute?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I am aware of the dispute referred to by my hon. Friend, which is one that has been receiving the attention of the Chief Industrial Commissioners' Department. I understand that negotiations with a view to a settlement of the dispute are in progress between the parties at the present moment. Pending these negotiations, it would, I think, be premature to make any further statement.