HC Deb 10 March 1925 vol 181 cc1155-6W
Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Industrial Court in an arbitration award, dated 15th September last, fixed the rates of wages on the Annisland-Duntocher Road Relief Scheme for men taken on through the Employment Exchange at 1s ld. per hour; that the Duntocher Bowling road is an extension of this relief scheme, and the contractors, Messrs.Shanks and McEwan, are paying the men

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

According to particulars published in the Annual Statements of the Trade of the United Kingdom with Foreign Countries and British Possessions, and the Monthly Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom, the declared values of the trade with Germany during the years specified were as follow:

1½d. per hour under the wage fixed by the Industrial Court; what action he proposes to take to see that the wage fixed by the Industrial Court is carried out; or whether he is prepared to set up a committee of inquiry into the conditions of labour and rates of wages paid by this firm on the various relief schemes in Glasgow and district?

Mr. BETTERTON

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the Industrial Court in an award of 15th September last determined a rate of wages of 1s. 1d. per hour for certain schemes in and around Glasgow for men taken on through the Employment Exchanges. The Duntocher-Bowling Road Scheme, as pointed out in the award, did not come within the terms of the remit of the Court, and the rate of wages to be paid on this scheme is a matter for negotiation between the contractor and the workpeople concerned, subject to any conditions contained in the contract.