GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS (FAIR WAGES CLAUSE). (Hansard, 18 May 1927)

§ 15. Mr. KIRKWOOD
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many times a contractor is permitted to break the Fair Wages Clause before he is struck off the list?

§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)
There is no rule in this matter. Each allegation of a breach of the Clause is investigated and dealt with on its merits.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
In the event of the Admiralty discovering contractors breaking the Fair Wages Clause, what do they do with them?

§ Mr. CECIL WILSON
Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the official of the Department stated that no one is struck off the Admiralty list unless he has consistently broken the Fair Wages Clause?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
I do not know to what the hon. Member refers, but each case, if there is a case, is inquired into on its merits, as I have already said. At the present time 14 instances only of those of which complaints have been made have been substantiated. In no instance did the Admiralty remove a firm from the list. In two cases, however, the firms elected to drop off the list on their own accord rather than re-arrange their schemes of production, and in another case a firm has just been removed for another offence. If the Admiralty finds that a firm is ready to do as the Admiralty wishes, and confirms this arrangement, the Admiralty very naturally does not strike it off the list. It would not he in the interests of the workers.

§ Mr. W. THORNE
Is there any case where the Admiralty has enforced the penalty clause for such breach?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
I have just said there is no such case. Where these cases have been inquired into, and where they have been substantiated, the firms have either complied with the Admiralty's wishes or they have dropped off the Admiralty list.

§ Mr. THORNE
Why not enforce the penalties?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
The point I was asked was whether the Admiralty had dropped these firms out of the list. The answer I gave showed that the Admiralty had done what is absolutely right. If a firm will comply with the regulations, it is obviously in the interests of the workers that the Admiralty should not take them off the list.

§ Colonel DAY
Is the Admiralty investigating any cases at the present time?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
I should like to have notice of that question.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
In the event of a firm supplying the Admiralty with a casting which has been proved to be "faked" to the detriment of the worker, what steps do the Admiralty take in connection with such a firm?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
I think I can leave that.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
It does not arise out of the main question.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
It is a serious question. I can give the name of the firm.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
It is so serious an allegation that I invite the hon. Member to let me see it in writing. It does not arise out of the question in regard to fair wages.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
The question was the thin end of the wedge to get an answer.

§ 16. Mr. WELLOCK
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the practice in his Department for ensuring that the fair-wages Clause is observed in all contracts?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
Whenever any alleged breach of the Clause is brought to our notice it is immediately and fully investigated.

§ Mr. CECIL WILSON
In view of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the subject on the Adjournment.

§ Sir JOSEPH NALL
Do the Department give any contracts for printing to a firm in Glasgow which has lad a long dispute with its employés? [Interruption.]

§ 35. Mr. WELLOCK
asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the practice in his Department for ensuring that the fair-wages Clause is observed ill all contracts?

§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)
The practice of the Air Ministry is to obtain a written undertaking from every firm applying to be placed on the list of contractors that the terms of the fair-wages clause will be observed. In addition the Clause is incorporated in every contract. Any reported case of non-compliance with the undertaking and the contract condition above referred to is fully investigated.

§ 36. Mr. WELLOCK
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of works, what is the practice fn his Department for ensuring that the fair-wages Clause is observed in all contracts?

§ Captain HACKING (for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)
The contract conditions provide for the inspection of the contractor's wages book by the Department at any time, and if the Department has reason to believe that the contractor is not observing the fair-wages Clause of his contract, an inspection of his books is made, and, in the event of default, he is required to adjust the wages of the men who have been underpaid.

§ Colonel DAY
Can the hon. and gallant Member say that when adjustment does not take place immediately the name is struck off the roll?

§ Captain HACKING
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) which explains the whole position.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
This is the reply which the hon. and gallant Member gave: No rigid rule is laid down, each case being considered on its merits. That is the answer which I received. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] You can see, Mr. Speaker, whether they are giving me a fair do or not.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
Will the hon. Member look at me and put his questions through me, and not make statements?

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that that is the reply which he gave to me? It is an evasive reply. There is nothing in it, and he now says, "I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs." Surely, I am in order in giving that reply, if there is nothing in it. [Laughter.] Hon. Members are laughing. It is a case of Smile and smile, and be a villain all the while. I wish to draw attention to the fact that they are not giving straight replies at all, but only evasive replies.

§ Captain HACKING
The reply which the hon. Member has read does not appear to be the reply which I gave yesterday. The reply which I gave yesterday was a long reply, and was not evasive in any way.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
It was the reply which I got from the Financial Secretary to the War Office.

§ 11. Mr. KELLY
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cases of breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been reported in regard to any contracts during the last five years?

§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM
Fourteen.

§ 32. Mr. KELLY
asked the Secretary of State for Air haw many cases of breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been reported in regard to any contracts during the last five years?

§ Sir S. HOARE
Thirteen complaints of violation of the Fair Wages Clause in Air Ministry contracts have been received during the period mentioned. Of these five were substantiated and redressed, six were not substantiated and the remaining two are now under consideration.