HC Deb 20 July 1938 vol 338 cc2202-3
87. Mr. Kelly

asked the Minister of Health whether the district auditor has yet made any report as to the low wages paid by the county council of Cornwall to the men employed in the quarries of Cornwall?

Mr. Bernays

No, Sir. The question which, in replying to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson) on 16th June last, my right hon. Friend undertook to refer to the district auditor was that of the loss stated to be made upon municipal quarries in his county. In his report to the county council of Cornwall on the accounts for the year ended March, 1937, the district auditor made detailed recommendations for the remodelling of the highway accounts, including quarries, so as to secure a complete record of financial transactions. I am glad to say that the county council have decided to adopt these recommendations.

Mr. Kelly

Has the hon. Member any information as to what is being done in regard to the low wages which are being paid?

Mr. Bernays

Inquiries are being made, and I think that my right hon. Friend will be answering a question on the subject to-morrow.

Sir Cooper Rawson

Did not the district auditor make certain recommendations to the county council which they agreed to carry out on 1st April? Is it not the case that they have not yet carried out the recommendations of the auditor?

Mr. Bernays

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put that question on the Order Paper.