§ 37 and 38. Mr. Viantasked the First Commissioner of Works (1) the rates of wages paid to joiners when engaged by removal contractors of His Majesty's Office of Works supplies department, also the overtime rates; whether special rates of overtime are paid for Saturdays and Sundays; and, if so, what are the rates;
(2) the amount of overtime worked by the removal contractors of His Majesty's Office of Works supply department from 1st January to the latest convenient date; the rate of wages paid by such contractors and the overtime rates paid; whether special rates of overtime were paid for Saturdays and Sundays; and, if so, what were the rates?
§ The First Commissioner of Works (Sir Philip Sassoon)A large number of removal contractors are employed by my Department, and, though all are required to observe the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution of this House, no details are received of the amount of overtime worked or of payments made for overtime. The agreement on the joint industrial council of the furniture removal and warehousing industry, which is accepted by my Department as laying down the rates of wages payable in the industry, prescribes for payment of overtime at flat time rates. If the hon. Member considers that this agreement is not applicable to any particular case he has in mind, or that its terms are not being observed, perhaps he will be good enough to forward details in order that the matter may be further pursued.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderAre there no periodic checks in the Department to see that the Fair Wages Clause is being observed?
§ Sir P. SassoonIf any complaints are forwarded to the Department, they are fully investigated.
§ Sir P. SassoonI think if the Fair Wages Clause were not observed we should get complaints very quickly.