§ 28. Mr. MANDERasked the Postmaster-General whether it is the practice of the Post Office, as a model employer in industries where a joint industrial council exists, to recognise the rates of wages fixed in connection with the fair wages clause of the House of Commons, and the reasons why this is not done in the case of the National Joint Industrial Council of the cooperage industry: and whether he is aware that Wolverhampton employers who pay the Joint Industrial Council rate of Is. 5d. per hour are losing business with the Post Office because of the competition of employers at Burslem, in the same county, who only pay Is. per hour?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Ernest Bennett)All contracts for the Post Office service include a clause embodying the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons. In accordance with this clause where a rate of wages fixed by a National Joint Industrial Council is 965 commonly recognised by employers and trade societies in the trade in the district where the work is carried out the contractor is bound by the terms of his contract to pay such a rate. In the absence of such recognised wages in the district concerned the contractor is bound to pay not less than those which in practice prevail amongst good employers in that district. In regard to the cooperage industry, I have no reason to suppose on the evidence before me that there has been a breach of the Fair Wages Clause so far as contracts entered into by the Post Office are concerned. I am aware that a cooperage contract has been secured by an employer at Burslem, who pays lower rates than his competitors at Wolvèrhampton, but I have no infórmation as regards the extent to which the difference between the tendered prices was due to wage or other factors.
§ Mr. MANDERIs my hon. Friend aware that there are a number of firms near Burslem in the Potteries who are paying the proper rate of 1s. 5d., and is it the view of the Post Office that a good employer is one who pays 5d. per hour less than the Joint Industrial Council rate?
§ Sir E. BENNETTIn adhering to the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution we have been following the precedents set by every Government since 1910, including the last Labour Government.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIf the hon. Gentleman finds on inquiry that any previous Government has made a mistake in this connection, will he, belonging to this Government, correct it?
§ Mr. MANDERIf I am able to prove to my lion. Friend that the facts are as stated, will he be good enough to reconsider the matter?