§ 64. Mr. DENNISONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Nortons (Tividale), Limited, Staffordshire, who are on the Admiralty list of contractors, declines to conform to the terms of Arbitration Award 1216 in respect of wages payable to certain of their workpeople; and if steps will be taken to remove the name of this firm from the list of Admiralty contractors?
The Hon. Member addressed, in similar terms, questions respectively to the Secretary of State for Air and to the Secretary of State for War.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)I have been asked to reply to this question, together with those addressed to the War Office and the Air Ministry. The position is that a difference of opinion exists between Messrs. Nortons and the union to which certain of their former employés belonged in regard to the proper interpretation of a certain part of the award of the Industrial Court and this question is still undecided. In the circumstances the action suggested by the hon. Member would be premature.
§ Mr. DENNISONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Arbitration Court set up by the industrial machinery has definitely given an award, giving these men an advance of wages, which this firm refused to apply for the last six months. Will the Government consider the advisability of striking them off?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI do not think that I can reasonably add anything to the answer which I have already given.