GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS (FAIR WAGES CLAUSE). (Hansard, 16 May 1927)

§ 24. Mr. KELLY
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many cases of breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been reported in regard to any contracts during the last five years?

§ Captain HACKING (for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)
The Department does not keep a separate record of all cases in which allegations of breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been made to them, and the labour entailed in ascertaining the exact number of such cases during the last five years would not appear to be justified.

§ Mr. KELLY
If it is difficult to give a detailed reply to that question, is it possible for the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department to give a summary of the cases, or some idea of the approximate number in which a breach of the Clause was committed?

§ Captain HACKING
From such information as is available, I can say that, out of a total of 5,000 contracts, certainly not more than 75 breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been reported to us.

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL
Is it not the fact that the Government always insist on the Fair Wages Clause being inserted in their contracts?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
It has to be done.

§ 25. Mr. CECIL WILSON
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is a condition of all contracts that a fair wages notice shall be exhibited on the works; if so, what steps are taken by the Department to see that this condition is observed; and whether such notice is exhibited in the case of all contracts now running?

§ Captain HACKING
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The condition is enforced whenever it is brought to the knowledge of the Department that the notice is not exhibited, and so far as is known, it is being exhibited on all contracts now running.

§ Mr. WILSON
If I bring a case to the notice of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department, will they look into it?

§ Captain HACKING
If it is brought to the notice of the Department by anyone, the Department will take the matter up.