§ 18. Mr. T. JOHNSTON (for Mr. NEIL MACLEAN)asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the present wages rate per hour of the labourers employed on the Sandy Hills housing scheme, Toll-cross, Glasgow, is the rate paid in the building trade or civil engineering; if the latter, which class or grade are they classified in; and whether he can state the classification or grade and rate of pay per hour for similar work in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThe rate paid for unskilled surface work is 1s. 1d. per hour. Labourers engaged on the more skilled work of laying and jointing pipes are paid an additional 2½d. per hour. The civil engineering rate for Glasgow is 1s. ld. per hour, and for Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, ls. 3½ per hour.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there are three firms operating on this particular scheme, and that one firm alone—Messrs. Weir's firm—is paying ls. ld. per hour, while the other two firms, namely, the Atholl firm and the Cowieson firm, are paying Is. 3½d. an hour for the same labour; and will he undertake to look into this question and see that the Fair Wages Clause is observed?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThe answer is that I Personally am not aware of it, but I will certainly draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the question.
§ Mr. KELLYFrom what source has the Lord Advocate obtained his information that the civil engineering rate for Glasgow is the figure stated by him?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEI got that information where I get all such information—from the Office. If the hon. Member desires any more details I shall ask him to give notice of a further question.
§ Mr. KELLYIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that no rates have been fixed by the civil engineering industry for any part of Scotland?
§ The LORD ADVOCATENo, Sir, I am not Personally aware of it.