§ Mr. MANDERasked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is the practice of his Department, where a national joint industrial council exists in an industry, to recognise the rate of wages fixed by it in connection with the fair wages clause of the House of Commons, and only to place contracts with firms observing this rate?
1162W
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAll contracts for the service of the Office of Works include a clause embodying the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons. In accordance with this clause, where a rate of wages fixed by a national joint industrial council is commonly recognised by employers and trade societies, the contractor is bound by the terms of his contract to pay such a rate. In the absence of such recognised wages in the district concerned, the contractor is bound to pay those which in- practice prevail among good employers in that district.