§ Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he has yet made inquiry into the specific charges of non-compliance with the Fair-Wages Clause in Government contracts against Messrs. Gwynnes, of Hammersmith; and, if so, with what result?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe reply is in the affirmative. The result is being communicated to my hon. Friend.
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§ Mr. BARNESasked the Postmaster-General if he has yet inquired into the specific charges of non-compliance with the Fair-Wages Clause in a Government contract against Messrs. Hendersons, coachbuilders, of Glasgow; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThis firm informs me that they have raised the wages of their painters and bodymakers. But I am not yet in a position to decide whether the rate of wages previously paid was such as to contravene the Fair-Wages Clause.
Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in connection with the complaint as to the violation of the Fair Wages Clause by Messrs. R. B. Brown and Messrs. Albrech and Albrech, these firms have reduced the hours but in doing so have also reduced the wages of the employés; that, for instance, in the case of the latter firm, the men, whose hours have been reduced from fifty-two and a half to forty-eight per week, have still to work the fifty-two and a half hours in order to earn the amount of wages they earned before the hours were reduced; and whether he will have these cases closely inquired into and prevent any evasion of the Clause in question?
§ Mr. H. BAKERAs a result of careful investigation, it was found that there was no definite recognised or prevailing rate of wage for cutters in Leeds, and that payment was generally made according to ability. So far as the diversity of rates admits of a comparison, the rates paid by these firms do not compare unfavourably with those generally paid in the district, and cannot be regarded as infringing the Fair-Wages Clause in the contracts.