Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the hon. Member for the Saffron Walden Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that Lamb and Hewitt, who were the sub-contractors for the mason-work at the West Ealing Post Office extension, paid the masons employed on the work at the rate of 9½d. per hour, the district rate being 11½d.; if he is aware that, though the books of the firm make it appear that the men were paid at the proper rate, the men themselves state that they were not; whether the Fair-Wages Clause was inserted in the sub-contract; whether he will inquire into the matter; and, if so, will he ask the men to give evidence as well as the employers; and whether he will compel the firm to pay arrears of wages due or strike them off the list of contractors to the Office of Works?
§ Mr. BECKThe Board, having been informed that Messrs. Lamb and Hewitt were paying 9½d. instead of 11½d. an hour to masons engaged on the West Ealing Post Office extension, caused inquiry to be made. The wages-book shown to their wages inspector indicated that all men employed were paid the correct rate of wages. The Board are aware that the men state that they were not paid more than 9½d. an hour. The sub-contractor undertook to abide by the terms of the Fair-Wages Resolution. Theex-parte statements of the two sides are flatly contradictory, but the First Commissioner is not in a position to take sworn evidence and to adjudicate on the matter. He is, however, giving consideration to the question as to what, if any, legal proceedings can be taken in the circumstances.