§ 58. Captain CAZALETasked the Minister of Health whether it is the practice of his Department in a contract, where a fair-wage clause is inserted, for the building of houses which have been subsidised from public funds, and in which the contracting party has paid less than the established district rates to his employés, to take any steps to compel the offending party to pay to his present and past employés who have been, or who are still, engaged upon, the specified work, such moneys as may be due to them as a result of past work being paid for at less than the specified district rates?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Housing Act, 1924, lays down as one of the conditions of eligibility for subsidies under that Act that the local authority shall undertake that the contract for the erection of 669 houses shall contain a Fair Wages Clause. The enforcing of a contract between a local authority and one of its contractors is a matter entirely for the authority, and the action taken by the authority in the event of any breach of contract will depend upon the terms of the contract in the particular case.
§ Mr. MACKINDERAre we to understand that the local authorities have taken no action, even where flagrant cases have occurred?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Ministry has no power to do so, as it is not a party to the contract.
§ Mr. MACKINDERAre we to understand that, where local authorities do not 'take any action, the Fair Wages Clause is of no value whatever?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, that must not be understood.