Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that in June last the National Union of General Workers applied to His Majesty's Office 930W of Works on behalf of masons and masons' labourers employed at Harlech Castle for the building trade rates of pay as laid down by the North-Western Area Joint Council for the building trades; that an objection was raised that such rates did not apply to Merionethshire, and the Ministry of Labour refused to endorse the rates; if he will state the reason for such refusal, seeing that the rates apply at Carnarvon, which is only fifty miles away from Harlech; and what action he will take in the matter?
§ Mr. PARKERAt. the time the application referred to was made Harlech was not included in the area of the North-Western Area Joint Council, but upon representations being made the case of Harlech was brought before the National Board of Conciliation, when it was arranged to place it under the jurisdiction of the North-Western Area Joint Council, which decided what rates of wages should apply. The rates applicable to Carnarvon were accordingly paid, and the National Union of General Workers w is so informed in. July last.