HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 c445W
Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what arrangements are made for the training of officials who have responsibility in Government Departments for arranging office cleaning contracts and supervising their enforcement.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Officials will shortly be presenting a report to me on various aspects of the cleaning of Government offices, including training.

Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he has taken to ensure that women cleaners employed by contractors in Government offices are made aware of the Fair Wages Resolution, and of their right to join a trade union; and whether notices to this effect are displayed on all contract cleaning sites in the public sector.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Cleaning contracts include a condition obliging the contractor to fulfil the obligations of the Fair Wages Resolution. Paragraph 4 of the resolution stipulates that the contractor shall recognise the freedom of his work people to be members of trade unions. Paragraph 5 provides that the contractor shall at all times during the continuance of a contract display, for the information of his workpeople, in every factory workshop or place occupied or used by him for the execution of the contract, a copy of the resolution. This paragraph has not up to the present time been construed as applying to premises being cleaned as part of the contract.