§ Mr. NANNETTIasked the Chief Secretary whether Messrs. Varion and Company, brushmakers, Dublin, have a Government contract with the Board of Works Department; whether the firm are carrying out this contract by workmen who are not receiving the standard rate of wages of the district; whether he is aware that this firm have kept their regular workmen out of employment since November last, and have refused the efforts of the Lord Mayor of Dublin and other prominent citizens to bring about a settlement of the dispute between them and their late employers; and whether, in view of the action of this firm, he will continue to retain them on the list of Government contractors?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI understand that Messrs. Varion are brush contractors to the Board of Works for a period of three years from 31st October, 1907. The Board inform me that they are satisfied that Messrs. Varion comply with the Fair Wages Resolution of 1891. I am informed that the firm has had a dispute with their workmen, and that the men went on strike because of the refusal of Messrs. Varion to agree to certain demands, but I am not in a position to obtain further information or to form an opinion as to the merits of the dispute. The Board of Works do not consider they would be justified in ex- 193W cluding Messrs. Varion from competition for the next contract, which will take effect as from 1st November next, bat if Messrs. Varion compete for and obtain that contract they will then be subject to the Fair Wages Resolution of 1909.