§ 70. Mr. Marplesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what rates of overtime are reimbursed to the contractor who is building married quarters for the R.A.F. at Kinloss, Moray; what is the average number of hours' overtime each operative works per week; and what is the estimated additional cost by adopting overtime rates.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)I have been asked to reply. Overtime has not been ordered by my Department on the contract for building these married quarters, and, therefore, no overtime rates are paid to the contractor. I understand, however, that overtime is being worked, up to a maximum of ro hours a week, but this is the contractor's own arrangement and my Department is not involved in any additional cost.
§ Mr. MarplesDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that contractors who build for the R.A.F., and pay these increased rates of pay by way of overtime, are inducing labour away from local authorities who are building houses for the civilian population?
§ Mr. de Freitasthe contractor is stopping the practice. The matter has just been brought to our attention.