§ 10. Mr. T. WILLIAMS (for Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Messrs. James Keith and Blackman, Limited, an engineering firm in Arbroath, Scotland, are contractors to the Admiralty; that they are not observing the fair wages clause in such contracts; and that the district rate agreed between the Dundee Engineering Association for boilermakers and light-platers is 1s. 4d. per hour, whereas the above firm are paying rates as low as 8d. per hour and in no case higher than 1s. 3d. for one man only; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to bringing them into line with other con tractors in the district, so as to comply with the terms of Government contracts?
Lord STANLEYThe firm named are contractors to the Admiralty. This is the first intimation of any complaint that they are not observing the fair wages clause in Admiralty contracts, and steps are already being taken to investigate the matter.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the Noble Lord not aware that all these contractors who are contracting for Government work contract according to the fair wages clause, and is he not aware that every time they get out of paying these rates of pay it is more profit to the Government? Should not the Department see that proper rates are paid?