§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions (1) if he is aware that certain Army Reserve munition workers employed by Messrs. Hutton and Company, Limited, in the Shorncliffe area, whose terms of employment were that they should receive the rate of wages prevailing in whatever district they might be employed in, or a minimum of 7d. per hour, are not being paid at the rate of l0d. per hour although such is the rate prevailing in the district since the 2nd March, 1918; whether he is aware that the contractors contend that they are precluded from paying this rate without the sanction of the Government; will he explain why the sanction of the Government is required before contractors can carry out the terms on which their workmen were engaged; and, if such sanction is required, will he give instructions that the workers referred to shall be paid at the rate prevailing in the district, with arrears as from the date when the present rate came into force; and
(2) whether Army Reserve munition workers employed by Messrs. Hutton and Company, Limited, in the Shorncliffe area in painting huts are entitled to participate in the 12½ per cent. war bonus?
§ Mr. KELLAWAY:The contract for the painting of the huts in the Shorncliffe area by Messrs. Hutton and Company, Limited, was placed by the War Office, to which Department I have communicated my hon. and learned Friend's questions.