§ Mr. NOLANasked the Secretary for War if he has received any further information as to whether the Fair Wages conditions of Army contracts are carried out by the firm which supplies bread to the troops in the Drogheda military sub-district; and, if so, whether he can state the 2308W number of workers employed by the said contractors, distinguishing between adults and boys, with the wages paid in each class?
§ Mr. HALDANEWhile tenders were under consideration a representation was received that the firm in question was objected to by the Drogheda branch of the Irish Bakers' Union. Instructions were given to the local military authorities that the attention of the firm should be specially drawn to the Fair Wages Clause in the contract, and that before acceptance they should be required to give an undertaking that the Clause would be fully observed by them. The undertaking was given, and as no complaint has been received since the contract was placed, it may, I think, be assumed that the firm is not infringing the Fair Wages Clause contained in the contract. I will, of course, make inquiry into any specific complaint if full information is furnished to me.