§ Mr. FIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether any inquiry is made at Island Bridge when tenders are being issued for repairs regarding the condition of labour under which it is intended the repairs should be carried out; and if he 744W will consider whether the work would be better carried out in the interests of the public service by direct labour at Island Bridge, where accommodation exists for the employment of additional mechanics?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt is a condition of the contract under which these local repairs are executed that the wages paid in the execution of the contract shall be those generally accepted as current in each trade for competent workers in the district where the work is carried out. As regards the latter question whether it would be better to employ additional skilled labour for the repair work there, it is considered that as repair by contract is only resorted to at time of pressure, and is not continuous, there is no adequate reason for disturbing the present arrangements.