HC Deb 19 July 1923 vol 166 cc2501-2
94. Captain A. EVANS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he has yet come to any arrangement with the Ministry of Labour which would facilitate as far as possible the employment of British labour by contractors working for the Imperial War Graves Commission in France and Belgium?

Mr. GWYNNE

I understand that the Ministry of Labour have approached the contractors concerned, but it has not so far been possible to make arrangements for the further employment of British labour. I will, however, inquire further whether anything more can be done and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member in due course. I am in full sympathy with his wishes, but he will understand that it is difficult to intervene in a matter not covered by the conditions of contract.

Captain EVANS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the contractors concerned have offered to employ exclusively British labour for a period of at least two years for an additional 11 per cent. on their contract the whole of which would go to pay the difference between the French wages in francs and English wages in sterling, and what proportion of the latter would be paid in gold in any case?

Mr. GWYNNE

That is a matter for the Ministry of Labour. The bulk of this work is done in this country. All the headstones are made over here. The labour employed over there is a matter of preparing the ground and fixing.

Captain EVANS

Does not the figure exceed £1,000? Is it a fact that the contractors have made this offer?

Mr. GWYNNE

I have no doubt the hon. and gallant Member is correct; the total expenditure on the cemeteries is a very large sum.

Mr. W. THORNE

Will the Fair Wages Clause enter into this contract?

Mr. GWYNNE

Certainly it would do as regards labour in this country, but not fixing over there. We have no standard as regards the Fair Wages Clause in France or Belgium as far as I know.

Mr. W. THORNE

If it is British labour surely the Fair Wages Clause must apply?

Mr. GWYNNE

The hon. Member may rest assured that where English labour is employed, the Fair Wages Clause will cover it.

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