§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Stokes and Holt, having contracts for the Ministry of Munitions, are not observing the trade rules of the district in respect to the woodworkers employed; whether he is aware that the firm in question are employing woodworkers on the system of piece-work, while other firms in the district having Government contracts or tendering for Government contracts employ woodworkers under the terms of the agreement 1383W between the men's unions and the employers' association; and, having regard to the fact that Messrs. Stokes and Holt are thereby placed at an advantage against other firms in tendering for Government contracts, will steps be taken to compel Messrs. Stokes and Holt to conform to the local trade conditions in the employment of woodworkers?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have made inquiries into this case and understand that the firm are employing certain classes of workmen at piecework rates on the manufacture of shell baskets. So far as I am aware, work of this character was not carried on in the district previous to the War, and I understand that the actual earnings of the men in question are in excess of the time rates paid to such men when engaged on their ordinary work in the district. In the circumstances it does not appear that the firm have in any way infringed the conditions of the Fair-Wages Clause.