§ 12. Mr. KELLYasked the Secretary of State for War the number of civilians employed by his Department at the Singapore base; and what rate of wages is paid to labourers employed by the War Department at Singapore?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs regards the first part of the question, the information is not available in this country. As regards the second part, the rates of wages paid to labourers are fixed by the General Officer Commanding in accordance with the current local market rates.
§ Mr. KELLYIf this work is let out on contract and there is a Fair Wages Clause in the contract, how is it that the War Department has no knowledge of the wages paid, in order that they can see that there has been compliance with the Clause?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am afraid that no single one of the supplementary questions of the hon. Member arises out of the original question, but if the hon. Member will put them down I will give him an answer.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESHas the right hon. Gentleman any personal knowledge, or has his Department any knowledge, of the social and housing provisions made for these civilian workers in Singapore?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.
§ Mr. J. JONESOn that point, I submit that the question of the condition of the civilians employed there is a matter of importance to this House, and from my personal observation the conditions are not satisfactory.