§ 13. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Secretary for War whether Messrs. Backhouse and Son, builders, of Selby, have a contract for work on a powder magazine near Selby; if so, has his attention been directed to the fact that this firm only pays 5d. per hour to builders' labourers while the district rate is 6d. per hour; whether inquiries will be made into the matter, and, if the facts are as stated, will steps be taken to insist upon the Fair-Wage Clause being observed by the firm in question?
§ Colonel SEELYI have made inquiries into this case and find that the builders' labourers employed on this work are paid 6d. an hour. A casual labourer was employed on trial for one day at the end of May at 5d. an hour and discharged at the end of the day.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDDoes that apply to the navies?
§ Colonel SEELYTo all casual labour.