48. Mr. J. JONESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the fair wages clause is incorporated in contracts for work on new roads towards which public money is granted; and whether any firm receiving a contract would be called upon to observe the recognised wages and other conditions of labour?
§ Mr. NEALThe inclusion of the fair wages clause in contracts is made a condition of all ordinary grants from the Road Fund. In the case of the unemployment arterial road works in the metropolitan area, for which the Roads Department is directly responsible, contractors are required to pay recognised wages and to observe the approved conditions with regard to labour.
Mr. JONESIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that councils are giving out contracts, and that men are receiving only 7½d. per hour on some of those contracts?
§ Mr. NEALI am not aware of that. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case he desires to have inquired into, I will be glad to look into it.