§ 28. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in connection with the complaint that the British and Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers were violating the Fair Wages Clause and the reply of the Advisory Committee that the Clause was not being violated, he is aware that the Would ham Cement Company, the Tunnel Cement Company, and the New Rainham Cement Company pay their men 5½d. an hour, whereas the usual rate under the Port land Cement manufacturers is from 4d. to 4½d. an hour; whether this fact was known when the decision was come to; and whether representatives of the workmen concerned were approached during the inquiry?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY of the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I have no information as to the New Rain-ham Cement Company. It was known to 571 the Admiralty that the rates paid by the Wouldham Cement Company and the Tunnel Cement Company were as stated by my hon. Friend; but the inquiries made went to show that the usual rates paid by the firms in reference to which the complaint was made, namely, 5¼d. an hour, i.e., 5d. an hour, plus a bonus of 5 per cent., fulfilled the conditions of the Fair-Wages Clause. The cases in which the rates are 4½d. an hour or less are, so far as I am aware, only those of boys, youths, and old or disabled men. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, but the Admiralty and the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee had before them the full particulars furnished by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the hon. Gentleman make further inquiry?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, if any fresh facts are submitted.