§ 18. Mr. Charles Brownasked the Minister of Labour to what extent the firm 2470 of Bondor, who are makers of silk stockings, and who are erecting a factory at Dowlais, South Wales, are being assisted either by the Special Areas Commissioner or the Nuffield Trust; and what steps are to be taken to ensure that trade union conditions will be observed in this factory when it commences production at the end of August?
§ Mr. E. BrownA factory is being erected at Dowlais by the South Wales, and Monmouthshire Trading Estates Company, for Dowlais Hosiery Mills, Limited, which appears to be the firm to which the hon. Member refers. Assistance is being afforded to this company under the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, but it would be contrary to practice to give details of such assistance and I am not in a position to give information about the Nuffield Trust. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 1st December, 1938, and the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 6th March, 1939. In the present case I am informed that the employers have agreed with the appropriate trade union to pay full union rates as soon as the personnel have been trained.
§ Mr. HicksIs it not always guaranteed, if any public money is advanced, that the Fair Wages Clause is observed?
§ Mr. C. BrownIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conditions which they are prepared to observe mean that they are not prepared to pay trade union rates until four years after beginning production?
§ Mr. E. BrownIf the hon. Member will look at the answer, he will see that I made full inquiries.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsWill the right hon. Gentleman consider making it a condition of such grants in future that the manufacturers shall produce only stockings that will not ladder, and is he aware that such a process is available and that the manufacturers will not allow it to be-exploited?