§ 56. Mr. ANDERSONasked whether the wages prescribed in the Order 447 recently issued under the Munitions of War Amendment Act, 1916, are to be regarded 34 as minima or as fixed wages; whether it is possible for special classes of workers engaged in ferns to Which the Order has: been applied to make we of the machinery provided by the Acts of 1915 and 1916 to obtain a higher rate of wages, or whether the arbitrators appointed under these Acts for the settlement of differences between employers and employed will be precluded by the terms of the Order from dealing with the question of wages on their merits?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have made careful inquiries into the point raised in the hon. Member's question, and I am informed that it was the intention of the tribunal that the rates prescribed in the Order referred to should be regarded as the rates which should ordinarily be paid; but it is not intended that these rates should operate to prejudice the position of any person who is at present receiving higher wages nor to prevent employers from recognising special ability or responsibility.
§ Mr. ANDERSONDo I understand that these wages of 4d. and 4½d. an hour are fixed wages, and not minimum wages at all?
§ Dr. ADDISONI understand that that point was specially considered by the tribunal, and that the intention of the tribunal was that they were to be regarded as ordinary wages and not minima.
§ Mr. ANDERSONI think it disgraceful that that should be the state of affairs.