§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister for the Civil Service when the Government decided to require private contractors engaged in cleaning Government buildings to pay wages comparable to those paid for similar work done by local authorities why it so decided; and what has been the total increase in public expenditure incurred as a result of this decision since the date on which the decision was first implemented.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisAs I indicated on 31st January 1975—[Vol. 885, c. 331]—new clauses to this effect were introduced into all tenders invited on or after 1st April 1975. They were introduced, after discussions with representatives of both employers and employees in the contract cleaning industry, to reinforce the Fair Wages Resolution passed by this House on 14th October 1946. Details of the consequential increase in public expenditure are not available centrally.