§ 8. Mr. O'GRADYasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state the reasons why the Office of Works have not imposed a penalty in the case of Messrs. Colborne, contractors for the erection of a Labour Exchange at Bristol, who have violated the Fair-Wages Clause by sub-letting a part of the contract without permission; and whether it is the practice of the Department to impose no penalty in such cases or to impose a penalty as being calculated to secure better conformity to the conditions of a contract?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)The firm in question explained that they were unaware that permission had to be obtained for the sub-letting of the excavation and carting away in connection with the erection of the Bristol Labour Exchange. The Board informed them in March last that their action constituted a breach of the Fair-Wages Clause, that they took a serious view of the matter, and that in the event of a recurrence of any such incident they would be compelled to remove their name from the list of contractors.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDo they not enforce any penalties in consequence of a breach of the contract?
§ Mr. THORNEIf they do it again will they be struck off the list of contractors?