§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether Army Order 39, Departmental Order 85, of 18th August, 1908, ordaining that the men employed at Weedon must cease to belong to the Army Ordnance Department Employés Union, was still operative; and, if so, would it be referred with other matters affecting workers for the War Department to the advisory committee appointed to inquire into questions arising in connection with the carrying out of the Fair Wage Resolution of the House?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe order referred to applies only to foremen admitted to pension rights and not to workmen. It is operative not only at Weedon but throughout the War Department. Under these circumstances the question is hardly one for the committee.
§ Mr. BOWERMANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he considers that the issuing of such a Departmental Order is in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution on this subject?
§ Mr. HALDANEOh, yes. I must point out that we require on the outbreak of war specially trained foremen, and that these must be employed on a specially binding footing, because we cannot on the outbreak of war be sure that we can supply all the materials required if we employ only the ordinary staff of workers engaged on the ordinary footing. This has always been the custom.