Post Office (Mail Contracts).

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance. – in the House of Commons at on 5 October 1931.

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Photo of Mr David Pole Mr David Pole , Derbyshire Southern

24.

(for Mr. FREEMAN) asked the Postmaster-General whether any conditions as to wages and labour are laid down in the contracts entered into by His Majesty's Government for the carrying of British mails abroad; and, if so, will he state what they are?

Photo of Mr William Ormsby-Gore Mr William Ormsby-Gore , Stafford

No conditions as regards wages have ever been laid down in any of the four existing contracts with steamship companies for the conveyance of British mails abroad; but the contracts contain a Clause stipulating that the master and officers and at least three-fourths of the crew of every mail ship shall be British subjects.

Sir F. HALL:

I noticed that two hon. Members rose to put this question. Have you not laid it down, Mr. Speaker, that before a Member asks a question which is in the name of another Member, he should receive an intimation from that Member?

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

That certainly is the rule.

Photo of Mr William Brown Mr William Brown , Wolverhampton West

May I ask the Minister whether, in view of the conditions of service existing in the British Postal Service, the Government regard themselves in a moral position to lay down conditions in contracts abroad?

Post Office

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clause

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.

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