§ 76. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether further complaints have been received in respect of the failure of Messrs. Gurteen and Sons, Army clothing contractors, Haverhill, to comply with the requirements of the Fair-Wages Clause, especially as regards certain pressers whose rates the firm endeavoured to reduce after these had been increased under pressure from the War Office, and also as regards certain stock-keepers and warehousemen, some of whom are alleged to be receiving only slightly more than £1 per week; whether the case of this firm has been before the Department for several months; and, if so, whether the Department will without further delay compel their acceptance of the conditions of the Fair-Wages Clause?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part of the question, the firm undertook to comply with the requirements of the Fair-Wages Clause, but I am not satisfied, from the report of a recent inspection of their factory and records, that this is being done, and I am at present considering the further action to be taken in the matter.