HC Deb 16 July 1946 vol 425 cc1026-7
16. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Works what are the maximum rates of pay he allows to be paid to craftsmen and labourers in the London area as an essential condition of granting a building firm a certificate of registration under Defence Regulation 56AB.

Mr. Tomlinson

Defence Regulation 56AB provides that the terms and conditions of employment to be observed on building work by a building undertaking shall be neither more nor less favourable than those fixed by joint agreement in the industry or by arbitration. Apart from establishments where individual agreements with the trade unions may be operative, the rates of wages fixed by the National Joint Council for the building industry in the London area are as follow:

Craftsmen per hour Labourers per hour
Inner London … 2s. 7½d 2s. 1½d.
Outer London … 2s. 7d. 2s. 1d.

Mr. Marples

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many firms wish to pay a higher rate than that which he has quoted, but dare not do so because of prosecution? Is he further aware that in this House, he stated that the London Cooperative Society were paying a figure in excess of that which he has just mentioned, and yet his Department has given them a licence under Defence Regulation 56AB?

Mr. Tomlinson

I think I said that, where agreements were in force when Regulation 56AB came in, the agreement determined the terms under which the licence was granted.