§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can say whether the military men acting as firemen on the engines of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company have been withdrawn; and, if so, whether such withdrawal is temporary or permanent.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The soldiers who were undergoing a course of training in locomotive firing on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway have all been withdrawn. The withdrawal is not permanent, being consequent on the depression of trade now existing in the vicinity of the railway.
§ MR. HUDSONTo ask the Secretary of State for War if he contemplates engaging any more military men to railway companies for the purposes of training them in railway locomotive work; and, if so, whether he will ensure that they shall not displace the regular men in the service or reduce them below a full week's work and wages.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Yes, Sir. Every opportunity will be taken to train soldiers of the Royal Engineers belonging to the railway companies of that corps in locomotive firing on such of the British railways as can, from time to time, afford facilities for the above training without detriment to the employment of their regular civilian staff.