§ 11. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that 32 men who were working on the building of houses at Cardonald, near Glasgow, under a scheme for which the Government were providing a subsidy, received no wages for two weeks, and that the contractor, Mr. Coyle, failed also to stamp the men's insurance cards; what steps it is intended to take to see that no subsidy is paid until the wages due are paid; and what steps have been taken to insure the men's cards being properly stamped?
§ Mr. SKELTONI am aware of the facts in this case. Mr. Coyle, the defaulting employer, was engaged as a subcontractor for some preliminary work in connection with the erection of houses at Cardonald which are being provided by a company of builders under the corporation's scheme of assistance to private enterprise. I am informed that there has been no contravention of the rules and conditions under which the State subsidy is payable and provided that the houses are duly completed to the satisfaction of the corporation and of the Department of Health for Scotland, my right hon. Friend has no power to withhold payment of subsidy from the principal contractors. As regards the last part of the question, efforts which have been made by the Department to trace Mr. Coyle have so far been unsuccessful, but steps are meantime being taken to ascertain in the case of each employé the precise liability in respect of unpaid insurance contributions and an opportunity will be given to the men to safeguard their position as regards benefits by themselves stamping their cards.
§ Mr. BUCHANANAm I to assume that the Government are prepared to pay a 973 subsidy to the main contractors for houses completed when the men have not got their wages for work in connection with those houses; and, in view of the fact that this contractor knowingly gave a sub-contractor the job to undertake, although he knew that he was of no substance, will the Under-Secretary not reconsider the case? May I also ask if a warrant has been issued for this man's arrest, seeing that he has been guilty of criminal neglect in not stamping the cards?
§ Mr. SKELTONIn answer to the first part of the supplementary question, I regret that the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Department have no power to take the action which my hon. Friend suggests. The payment of the subsidy cannot be conditioned as my hon. Friend suggests. With regard to whether a. warrant has been issued or not for the arrest of this man, I am not able to tell my hon. Friend that in terms, and upon that point I cannot add to what I have already said, that efforts are being made to deal with: this question. With regard to the issue of the warrant, I will make inquiries and inform my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. BUCHANANAm I to understand that, if houses are built, and the wages due to the men are not paid, this House will pay a subsidy on those houses, although the men have not received their wages. Ought not the subsidy to be determined, as any other payment would be, on the basis that wages should be the first charge upon it.