§ 81. Mr. BAKERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will take steps to secure the application of the Fair Wages Clause to all employments at the British Empire Exhibition?
§ Mr. LUNNI am not in a position to intervene in any questions regarding the 196 wages paid to employés at the British Empire Exhibition, but if my hon. Friend will refer to the reply which I gave yesterday in answer to a question asked by the hon. Member for Dewsbury he will see that I have done, and I shall continue to do, everything in my power to provide means for the investigation and settlement of any complaints.
§ Mr. AYLESBefore the Government make larger grants for exhibitions in future will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Government to see that they have some power to prescribe the conditions in which that money shall be used as regards the terms upon which the employés shall work?
§ Mr. B. SMITHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that public money has been allocated to the British Empire Exhibition and could not the Government have insisted on the Fair Wages Clause being applied?
§ Mr. LUNNIn reply to the first question I do not suppose that there will be another British Empire Exhibition for a year or two, and I cannot say what will happen in the case of any future exhibition of this kind. In reply to the second question the exhibition was decided on before the Labour Government came into office. These matters had been decided at that time or hon. Members may take it from me that there ought to be a Fair Wages Clause in every contract.
§ Mr. G. SPENCERIs it not a fact that the grant has been increased by the Labour Government?
§ Mr. LUNNUnfortunately it has not yet been done. The Bill hall yet to be passed, but I wish that it were.