HC Deb 06 April 1965 vol 710 cc225-6
17. Mr. Alison

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board requiring that they only employ contractors for new power stations who pay their work-force at rates which, including overtime, are broadly in line with average earnings in the locality.

Mr. John Morris

No, Sir. The Board's contracts incorporate the normal fair wages clause in respect of minimum wages, hours and conditions and the question of actual wage rates is one for the contractors themselves and their employees.

Mr. Alison

Is the Minister aware that in disavowing responsibility in this field he has disavowed the Government's income policy in terms? Is he aware that there is an auction for local labour in the Selby area because of the construction of the Eggborough power station and that the Minister's agents are the highest bidders? Would he take steps to see that rates are kept in line with local earnings?

Mr. Morris

This is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board, which incorporates a fair wages clause in its contracts. It would be impracticable and contrary to normal practice in industry for the Board to go further and attempt to control the rates paid by contractors.

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