HC Deb 31 July 1923 vol 167 cc1285-6W
Mr. GRUNDY

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Parkgate Iron and Steel Works, Messrs. Steel, Peach and Tozers, of Rotherham, or Messrs. Samuel Fox, of Stocksbridge, are engaged upon any work for his Department; if so, whether he is aware that the labourers employed by these firms receive only £1 10s. per week after stoppages for insurance, etc., whilst the district rate is £2 1s., and that with the fall in the cost of living these men are suffering reductions in wages according to a sliding scale, although they never received the benefit of any scale when the cost of living was rising; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter in order to secure the observance of the Fair Wages Clause?

Mr. GWYNNE

The firms in question hold contracts for the supply of materials to this Department. No complaint has been received that the firms are not complying with the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution, but, in view of the statements in the question, inquiries will now be made.