§ 66. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state when the civil engineering rate for labourers on surface work in Glasgow of 1s. 1d. per hour was fixed, and by whom; whether, seeing that the rates obtaining for similar work in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham were fixed at properly convened and representative conferences, any such conference has been held at Glasgow for such purpose: and what was the finding and decision?
§ Major ELLIOTMy information is that 1s. 1d. per hour is the rate which is in general operation in Glasgow and district for labourers employed on civil engineering work, and that this rate became generally operative in Glasgow after the issue in September, 1924, of an award of the Industrial Court relating to certain specified contracts. With regard to the second part of the question, I understand that discussions took place some time ago between representatives of the employers and unions in the industry in Scotland, but that no agreement was reached.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the hon. and gallant Member take it that this rate is offered for what is looked upon all 1371 over England and Ireland as civil engineering work, but that in Scotland there is no such calculation for civil engineering work, but that the rates are fixed by the employers in connection with the Government contract?
§ Major ELLIOTThe rate of 1s. 1d. per hour is the rate which is in general operation in Glasgow and district. If he has further information, I think the hon. Member had better consult the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. MACLEANBut is it not the case that the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Lord Advocate have already stated that this rate was fixed as the civil engineering rate in Scotland, and that the rate he has now quoted, 1s.1d. per hour, is not the rate fixed between employers and trade union representatives as the civil engineering rate?
§ Major ELLIOTThe technicalities of rate fixing are surely a matter for discussion between the hon. Gentleman, who has great knowledge of this subject, and the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that this particular job does not affect any department of the Ministry of Labour, hut is a job which has been put through this House by the Secretary of State for Scotland in dealing with houses which are being paid for by Government subsidies.