§ 96. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the fair-wages clause for contracts is uniform for all Government Departments; and whether any steps are taken in the case of Russian timber purchased by these Departments to see that this clause applies to the work done on the Russian side as well as the work done in this country?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIt is, of course, well-established practice that the fair wages clause should be inserted in all Government contracts, and a standard form of clause was agreed between the principal purchasing Departments some years ago. As regards the second part of the question, the clause is obviously not enforceable abroad.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the right hon. Gentleman consider enforcing these clauses in cases where there is slave labour or compulsory labour?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI cannot see how it is possible to enforce such a clause in another country.
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this country is importing a great quantity of this timber?