§ Mr. J. McKay103, 104 and 105. asked the Minister of Labour (1) what is the body responsible for deciding the wages rates and the hours worked per week in the Wallsend Remploy factory; if the disabled men in the factory have any direct representation; and if he will consider intervening to get a 40-hour week established for these men and with a higher weekly wage than the present£4 8s.;
(2) how many men in the Wallsend Remploy factory receive the rate of 2s. per hour or£4 8s. per week; how many get the highest rate of 2s. 6d. per hour; how many receive intermediate rates; and what are the skilled trades for which these men are being trained;
(3) if he is aware that married men working in the Wallsend factory for disabled men, who have three children and who pay 12s. per week rent, can get their income made up under National Assistance in September to£4 17s. 6d. when they are not working, which is 8s. 6d. more than the wages paid in the Remploy factory; and if he will therefore recommend an improvement in the wages paid.
Mr. LeeWages and conditions at Remploy Ltd. are negotiated with the trade unions concerned and my right hon. Friend does not propose to interferes with these arrangements. The usual trade union machinery is available for representations to be made to the management. At present, 10 of the severely disabled men employed at the factory get 2s. per hour, six men get 2s. 6d. per hour, while the remaining 29 get intermediate rates. They are mainly employed on woodwork.