HC Deb 03 February 1937 vol 319 cc1599-600
59. Mr. Potts

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, as Barnsley Post Office is to be redecorated throughout by contract, he will state the firm who obtained the contract; and, having regard to Barnsley's volume of unemployed people, will he give an assurance that Barnsley's skilled decorators unemployed will be given first preference for work by the contracting firm who obtained the contract?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

The contract was obtained by Messrs. Dearden Brothers, Limited, of Leeds, in competition which included offers from five local firms. I am afraid that it would not be reasonable, in these circumstances, to lay down any such conditions.

Mr. Potts

Does the hon. Member think it would be right to bring workmen out of Leeds to do work in Barnsley with hundreds of men walking about Barnsley town unemployed? Can I have no answer and no guarantee on that matter?

Mr. Hudson

The contract is subject to the normal Fair Wages Clause, and as long as fair wages are paid, I do not think it is reasonable to impose any further conditions.

Mr. Potts

I am not talking about the Fair Wages Clause. We will watch that. What I want to know is whether we are to have our Barnsley people who are unemployed, skilled people, working on this job instead of bringing people out of Leeds every day?

Mr. Hudson

I have already said that as the tender was open to local firms and not one of the local firms was successful, owing to the prices quoted, it would not be reasonable, in our opinion, to impose the conditions suggested by the hon. Member.

Mr. Thorne

Is the hon. Member not aware that in many cases, when local contractors do not get a job, the contractors are advised to take on as many local people as possible?

Mr. Thurtle

Will the hon. Gentleman, without imposing a condition upon the contractors, make representations as to the desirability of employing Barnsley people on this job?

Mr. T. Williams

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of that procedure, and that when an outside contractor secures a contract local authorities attempt to influence him to employ as many local people as possible?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, but this is not a contract given by a local body; it is given by a Government Department.

Mr. Potts

As this contract was given by a Government Department, will they not adopt the same policy as local authorities adopt in such circumstances?

Mr. Hudson

I will consider that, but I cannot possibly give any undertaking in the matter.

Mr. Potts

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory reply to this question, I shall raise it on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.