§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his Department informed Mr. A. Smith, of 20, Howden Street, Edinburgh, by letter, on 13th August, 1910, that after investigation it appeared to be established that 5½d. per hour was the current rate for foundation work on the Redford Cavalry Barracks, and that this rate must be paid in future by the contractors?
§ Mr. TENNANTThat is so, but a local investigation was subsequently made which showed, as the hon. Member was informed on 15th February, 1911, that the rates paid to labourers for the class of work in question varied considerably, but that from 5d. to 5½d. an hour appeared to be the wages generally prevailing in practice among good employers. The question having been recently raised again, a further local investigation was made a few weeks ago, which confirmed this conclusion.