§ 105. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received complaints regarding the rate of wages paid to women workers by members of the Harness and Saddlery, Furniture, and Hardware Manufacturers' Association, Walsall, contractors to the War Office; whether he is aware that these firms are paying adult women as little as 10s. per week, and that the association have refused to accept arbitration offered by the Chief Industrial Commissioner on the differences which have arisen with regard to wages between them and the women concerned; and what steps it is proposed to take to ensure that women engaged on Government work in this area shall receive a living wage?
§ Mr. FORSTERA complaint has been received regarding the rates of wages paid to the women workers by members of the association referred to. In this it was alleged that in many cases the rates paid to these workers were not more-than 10s. 2269 per week. I have no knowledge of the association having refused to accept an offer of arbitration by the Chief Industrial Commissioner, who, I understand, is still in communication with the parties involved in the dispute.