§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Dublin Harbour)asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Irish Board of Works, when giving contracts for painting to Dublin contractors, make it a condition that the work must be executed by competent tradesmen and that the standard rates of wages will be paid; whether any steps are taken by the Board of Works to ascertain, 572W by means of inspection or otherwise, if skilled workmen are employed and trade union rates of wages paid; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the class of workmen employed and if the fair-wages clause is complied with?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board of Works take steps to ascertain by means of inspection whether skilled workmen are employed and the standard rate of wages is paid.