§ 27. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make inquiries as to the practicability and desirability of a fair wages clause in work done by or for the Palestinian Government in Palestine?
§ Mr. AMERYI have already made inquiries on the subject. The High Commissioner for Palestine is keenly alive to the necessity of ensuring that his Government shall lead the way in promoting better conditions of labour in that country, but he points out that the interpretation of any fair wages clauses would give rise to great difficulties where the standards of living and efficiency are so widely divergent between different sections of the population.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the High Commissioner aware of the necessity of paying wages on which it is possible for the Jew to live as well as the Arab?
§ Mr. AMERYYes. I think he is fully alive to the necessity of so arranging things that both sections of the community can get employment; but a fixed standard wage clause inserted in the contract might lead to difficulty.