§ 39. Dr. ADDISONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the wages paid by Messrs. Hess and Company, Limited, of 44, Bethnal Green Road, trading as Hicmott and Company, are such that no British employés of this firm get more than 25s. a week; that young men are employed cutting covers for shako at 15s. a week; and that the wages paid to the female employés are such as do not provide a living wage; and whether he will 335 cause further inquiries to be made into the terms and conditions of employment of this firm with a view to determining whether they in fact constitute a breach of the conditions required under the Fair-Wages Clause?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am informed that it is not the fact that no men employed by Messrs. Hess get more than 25s. a week, and on this point I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 14th April. The female employés receive wages which are generally well above the minimum required by the contract and are in conformity with the requirements of the Fair-Wages Clause. At the time of my previous reply the cutting of covers for Post Office shakos was done by the foreman, but I understand that some of the work has since been done by another man. I am making inquiries into the circumstances of this man's employment on the work, and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course. I have no knowledge of the nationality of the employés.