§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the amount of overtime at present being worked at the new War Office, especially by the carpenters and joiners; and whether, in view of the lack of employment in the building trade, he will endeavour to put a stop to the overtime with the object of finding employment for some of those who are at present unemployed.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleThe overtime now being worked at the new War Office is unavoidable in connection with the removal of the Department into the building. The removal could not be efficiently carried out by the double-shift system, even if the amount of overtime would justify resort to that method. It is my wish to utilise the double-shift plan whenever and wherever the circumstances warrant its adoption, and I long ago gave stringent orders to this effect.