HC Deb 26 October 1976 vol 918 cc183-5W
Mr. George

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is satisfied that the clauses introduced into Government contracts after 1st April 1975 to ensure cleaning contractors' employees working in Government offices enjoy reasonable rates of pay and holidays with pay are working satisfactorily.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Responsibility for ensuring that the conditions attaching to Government cleaning contracts are being observed by the contractor rests with the employing Department. I am aware of no evidence to suggest that contractors are not complying with the clause concerning the payment of minimum rates of pay and the granting of paid holidays to staff employed on the contracts.

Mr. George

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what checks officials of his Department make to ensure that cleaning contractors' employees are being paid the legal minimum rate of pay.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

There is no legislative requirement for cleaning contractors to pay their employees a minimum rate of pay. However, as I indicated on 31st January 1975—[Vol. 885, c. 331]—new clauses were introduced in all tenders for contracts to clean Government offices invited on or after 1st April 1975 which require the successful contractor to pay his employees engaged on the contract rates of pay no less favourable than those from time to time agreed for local authority staff engaged on similar work. Responsibility for the operation of cleaning contracts, as for other contracts, rests with the employing Department concerned and no checks are made centrally to ensure that the provisions of the clauses are observed by the contractor in individual cases.

Mr. George

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many contracts have been cancelled due to the fact that cleaning contractors' employees were not being paid the legal minimum rate of pay.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

I have today, in another Question from my hon. Friend, explained the basis of the arrangements agreed between my Department, the Contract Cleaning and Maintenance Association and the Joint Trades Union Committee for Contract Cleaning, to give effect to the fair wages resolution in the field of contract cleaning of Government offices. Responsibility for enforcing the terms of these contracts rests with the Department concerned, and the information asked for is, therefore, not available centrally, and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. I have, however, no reason to believe that contractors employed to clean Government offices are not observing the minimum rate of pay clause now included in the contract.

Mr. George

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will take steps to ensure that the legislation regarding minimum rates of pay for cleaning contractors' employees working in Government offices be extended to cover cleaners working in public corporation offices.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

I understand my hon. Friend has in mind the extension of the arrangement, whereby contracts for the cleaning of Government offices contain clauses to give effect to the fair wages resolution, to the nationalised industries. This is a matter for the board of each individual corporation.