§ Mr. NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a contract for cleaning windows in Government buildings has recently been awarded to the National Provincial Window Cleaning Company; whether on obtaining such contract the company have dismissed a number of men, some of whom had been engaged on Government work of this nature for twenty years, stating that they preferred to employ their own hands; and whether, in awarding such contract, any condition was imposed as to the rate per hour to be paid by the firm making the successful tender?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThe National Provincial Window Cleaning Company have obtained the contract for window 439W cleaning in two of the London districts. The previous contractors, on losing their contract, naturally dismissed some of their workmen, but a considerable number of these have been taken over by the new contractors. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.