HC Deb 11 February 1930 vol 235 cc200-1
18. Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reasons why a scheme of work by the Glasgow parish council in connection with Lennox Castle, in which a scale of wages was proposed with a minimum of 55s. per week for other workers than relief workers, was recently referred back to the council for further consideration by the Scottish Department of Health?

Mr. JOHNSTON

The Glasgow District Board of Control was not required to and did not in fact submit its scheme of wages for workers other than relief workers for the approval of the Department of Health for Scotland. All rates of wages for workers other than relief workers are for the determination of the local authority and the trade union concerned and the Department has not sought to interfere with the wages rate but I invited the Glasgow District Board of Control to consider allotting a few places in their scheme to relief workers.

Mr. STEPHEN

In view of the misunderstanding which has occurred in connection with this business, will the Under-Secretary consider giving us a White Paper containing the correspondence involved in connection with this matter in Glasgow?

Mr. JOHNSTON

As far as we are aware, no misunderstanding has occurred.

Mr. STEPHEN

Is not the Under-Secretary aware that in the local Press, in a paper called "Forward" published in Glasgow, there was a statement that in many parish councils there has been a good deal of discussion on this matter, and, in view of the dubiety which exists concerning it, will he not consider giving us the correspondence in connection with this question?

Mr. DICKSON

Is it not the case that the workers involved have passed a resolution of thanks to the Government on their attitude in the matter?

Mr. JOHNSTON

Yes. The question does not refer to relief workers but to workers other than relief workers, and no correspondence whatever has passed between the Department and the Glasgow Board of Control in this matter.

Mr. STEPHEN

None whatever?

Mr. JOHNSTON

None whatever.

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