§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I desire to make the following statement to the House:
As the House will no doubt be aware, there is a stoppage of work amongst drivers employed in the transport of meat by road for London. Some 1,400 men are on strike. In view of the effect on the London meat supply, the Government are taking appropriate measures to secure the distribution of the maximum amount possible in the circumstances.
§ Mr. Isaacs"Appropriate measures" means the employment of troops and other persons to get the meat distributed.
§ Earl WintertonCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the assurance for which I asked on a previous occasion, that this does not mean an interference with the training of troops? Is he aware that under this Government, troops have been employed in the docks on more occasions than under any previous Government?
§ Mr. IsaacsI think that the question as to the extent of the interference with training is one which I, personally, could not answer, but no doubt my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence could.