§ Mr. WARDLEasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of attempted suicide of Elizabeth O'Brien, heard at Westminster on Monday, 26th April; whether he is aware that this woman, who was a widow, was employed as a tailoress by a firm of contractors making Government clothing; whether he is aware that the hours of employment were 10½ a day, and that the most that could be earned by this woman by continuous work was less than 1s. a day; that the rates of pay for making outright Territorials' riding breeches was 8d., and that it was impossible to make two pairs in a day; that a farthing a pair was paid for putting footstraps on cavalry overalls, and that this took half an hour;
1010Wif so, whether he will say who the firm of contractors are; whether the fair wage clause inserted in Government contracts was inserted in this case; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the woman named was a tailoress working for a firm of Government contractors making uniforms for the Territorial Force; that her earnings by continuous work was something less than 1s. a day; that the price paid her for making riding breeches for the Territorial Force was 1s. 6d. per pair; and whether he intends taking action to make the conditions of this contract conform to the terms of the fair wages clause?
§ Mr. HALDANEMy attention has been drawn to this case. As I have already informed the House, the firm by whom Mrs. O'Brien is stated to have been employed was removed from the list of Army contractors some years ago. The Territorial Associations make their own arrangements with contractors for supplies of clothing, but if the hon. Members can supply me with the name of the association concerned I will make representations to the association in regard to the matter.