HC Deb 24 March 1927 vol 204 cc560-2
69. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Messrs. Shanks and McEwan, Glasgow, are not conforming to the district rate of wages and conditions in connection with their contract on the new dock, Shieldhall; and, as a grant from the Unemployment Grants Committee has been made to the carrying out of this scheme, will he take steps to see that the Fair Wages Clause is put into operation with regard to this work?

Mr. BETTERTON

I am not aware that Messrs. Shanks and McEwan are not conforming to the district rates of wages and conditions on this work, which is, I understand, being carried out by them for the Clyde Navigation Trust, whose contract forms do not contain a fair wages clause. The Unemployment Grants Committee do not make the insertion of a fair wages clause in the contract a condition of financial assistance.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the hon. Member aware of the fact that Messrs. Shanks and McEwan, who are big Government contractors, are employing engineers at the present time, not 47 hours a week but 51 hours a week bare time, that they are working overtime, night shift, Saturday afternoon and Sundays, all for bare time.

Mr. SPEAKER

If this is a case of Government contracts, I think the question should be put to the Department which has made the contract.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

On a point of Order. This is an unemployment scheme, so to speak, because they are getting Government grants for it, and this is a big employer of labour, a big Government contractor, with contracts all over the British Empire for the Government, and they are paying wages that are not paid by any other contractor. They are taking a mean advantage, and I am asking the only Government Department that I can get at, the Ministry of Labour, to see what can be done, and then you tell me that the question is to be put to another Department.

Mr. SPEAKER

I am only trying to help the hon. Member by telling him to what Department his question should be addressed. I cannot help him if he will not listen. I am trying to tell him that if he claims that there are Government contracts with this firm and that they are not observing the Fair Wages Clause, he must put the question to the Department which has made the contract with this firm. That is the procedure which is always followed in these cases.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I am not satisfied.