87. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that his Department has given a number of contracts for gas-fitting, gas-heating, etc., to the Gas Light and Coke Company, Limited, Westminster; that this company is paying their workmen doing the work from 6d. to 8d. per hour less than is paid by other firms doing this class of work; and whether he will put the fair-wage Clause in operation in connection with these contracts?
§ Sir ALFRED MONDThe Gas Light and Coke Company is carrying out gas-fitting and gas-heating work at certain buildings which are being adapted for the purposes of flats in the London District. The work is identical with that carried out by the company in their ordinary business and is not comparable to that carried out by other firms. Their rate of wages has been the subject of consideration by the Court of Arbitration who decided on the 4th November last that there is no prescribed rate applicable to the men concerned.
Mr. WILSONWill the right hon. Gentleman use his good offices with this company with the object of preventing this?
§ Sir A. MONDI will certainly do anything that is reasonable in regard to it.