asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that some construction companies, because of their failure to register their employees under the construction industry pension scheme, are thereby competing unfairly against other employers for local authority contracts; and if he will insist that membership of the Construction Industry Federation pension scheme shall be a pre-condition for any such tender in future so as to ensure the protection of construction industry workers and their families.
Written Answers. - Construction Industry Federation Pension Scheme.
266.
The fair wages clause of the standard conditions of contract for building works by local authorities require the contractor to "pay rates of wages and observe hours of labour and conditions of employment not less favourable than those laid down by the National Joint Industrial Council for the Construction Industry". The pension scheme referred to by the Deputy is considered to be part of such conditions of employment. Infringement in this respect, if established and not remedied when brought to the contractor's notice, renders the contractor liable to having the contract terminated. It is considered that this clause is a sufficient safeguard in this respect.