§ 44. Mr. ALBERT RUSSELLasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the position of the Scottish linen manufacturers in whose industry the wage rates are regulated by a trade board and who, in tendering for Government contracts, are handicapped in competing with Northern Irish manufacturers whose wage rates, not being so regulated, are considerably lower; and whether, in order to remedy this, he will take steps to insure that in respect of Government contracts for flax, hemp, and linen, it will in future be a condition that the wage rates payable shall be not less than those fixed by the Flax and Hemp Trade Board of Great Britain?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)I have been asked to reply. I am aware that wages in the Irish linen trade are not regulated by a trade board, but I have no evidence that the wages generally are lower than the trade board rates in Scotland or that the effect on contracts has been as suggested.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHIf it can be proved that the rates are a great deal 665 lower, will some consideration be given to the trade in Scotland?
§ Mr. HUDSONThat is a matter primarily for the trade board concerned in Scotland.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHWill it not be taken into account in connection with Government contracts? If through the trade board in Scotland the wages are considerably higher than the wages in Ireland, will some arrangement be made by the Government for dealing with these contracts?
§ Mr. HUDSONA Government contract contains the fair wages clause. The fair wage in Scotland is the trade board wage, and presumably the fair wage clause in Northern Ireland is equally applicable, and the fair wage is the wage arrived at through the negotiating machinery.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESWhat happens if there is no wage regulation machinery?
§ Mr. HUDSONI understand there was a trade board originally in Northern Ireland, and that it was withdrawn on the setting-up of wage negotiating machinery in Northern Ireland.