§ 44. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Works what is the average number of Government inspectors employed at the Greenhithe works of Messrs. Caxton Floors factory; what wages and expenses they draw weekly; and what are their qualifications.
§ The Minister of Works (Mr. Tomlinson)No Government inspectors are employed at the works. The factory is visited periodically by an inspector from my Ministry. He has a basic wage of £6 15s. a week, plus appropriate allowances for overtime and Civil Service war bonus. He is a qualified tradesman and graded as a clerk of works.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I saw three or four inspectors, who were overpaid, able-bodied men, loafing about doing nothing all day long, which causes great discontent and disgust among the workers?
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the hon. Member talking about the Stock Exchange?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI do not know who the hon. Gentleman saw, but they were not Government inspectors.
§ Mr. McGovernCan the hon. Member tell us at what hour it was, because he may have seen them at a time when it was difficult for him to assess what they were doing?