§ 37. Mr. LORDENasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the fact that the Acton borough council are paying excessive rates of wages or unauthorised allowances to building trade labour in their direct employ on housing schemes contrary to the model form of contract, and are also sanctioning such unauthorised payments being made by contractors employed by them; and what action does he propose to take to prevent this bidding for labour?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)The action of the Acton borough council in making certain allowances to workpeople employed in connection with the council's direct labour housing scheme and by the council's contractors has been brought to the notice of the Department. A letter has been sent to the Acton council informing them that no payment in excess of the agreed standard rates for the district should be allowed in connection with the council's housing schemes.
§ Mr. LORDENWill the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation on this matter, which is causing a great deal of unrest among employers and employed?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt depends on whom the deputation is from. I would like more precise information.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINIs it not a fact that the wages paid in the Acton district are not those agreed on in the neighbourhood, and that there is no such body as the Acton borough council?
§ Mr. BILLINGIs not a cause of a great deal of the increase in many cases luxury building, and that builders are offering bonuses of £1 a week for trade union workers, with the result that they are drawing all the men away from private schemes?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe practice of a number of employers of offering bribes must have a disastrous effect on the industry.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not possible, having regard to the powers possessed by the Government, to take steps to stop such a flagrant practice?
§ Mr. LORDENWill the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the question of dealing with this now, and not leave it until it becomes acute?