HC Deb 23 July 1914 vol 65 cc628-30
37. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked whether Messrs. Braime, of Leeds, hold any con tract with his Department; if so, whether he is aware that this firm have, with the Engineering Employers' Federation, granted an advance of 1s. weekly in wages to their skilled workmen and refused a similar advance to their labourers; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to see whether this firm is complying with the Fair-Wages Clause of such contract?

Mr. LAMBERT

The firm named are contractors to the Admiralty. No representations have been made that the firm are not paying their labourers the rate current in the district, but if my hon. Friend will give me detailed information the matter shall be inquired into.

38. Mr. WILKIE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that at Nobel's Ardeer factory all the tradesmen employed are paid the district rate of wages with the exception of the painters, who are paid 7½d. an hour instead of 9d.; and whether he will make representations on the matter, even although the painters may not be employed on Government work, their duties being necessary in the conduct of the business?

Mr. LAMBERT

If my hon. Friend will give me details of the information on which his question is based, inquiry shall be made.

39. Mr. WILKIE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the work of painting oil-fuel tanks at Invergordon, of the first ten tanks about two were painted by a Dingwall contractor, who paid his men the district rate of 7d. an hour, plus lodging money, and the remainder were done by an Aberdeen firm paying 9d. an hour, plus 5s. a week lodging money; whether he is aware that a number of other tanks are now being painted by a Tain contractor, who is employing wholly unskilled labourers at a rate of 6d. an hour; whether, in view of the rates paid on the previous contracts he will have inquiries made with a view to enforcing the Fair-Wages Clause; and whether the work is being inspected to ensure its being properly done?

Mr. LAMBERT

No complaint has reached the Admiralty, but inquiries are being made into the matter.

53. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. Braime, of Leeds, hold any contract with his Department; if so, whether he is aware that this firm have, with the Engineering Employers' Federation, granted an advance of 1s. weekly in wages to their skilled workmen and refused a similar advance to their labourers; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to see whether this firm is complying with the Fair-Wages Clause of such contract?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

This firm does not hold any contract with the War Office, so far as I can ascertain.

93. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether Messrs. Braime, of Leeds, hold any contract with his Department; if so, whether this firm have, with the Engineering Employers' Federation, granted an advance of 1s. weekly in wages to their skilled workmen and refused a similar advance to their labourers; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to see whether this firm is complying with the Fair-Wages Clause of such contract?

The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)

Messrs. T. F. Braime and Company, of Leeds, hold no contracts with the India Office at present.