§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Secretary for War whether the Military authorities are contracting with the London omnibus companies for the supply of some hundreds of horses for the purposes of the Territorial autumn manœuvres, and that, as a consequence, a large number of men, drivers, conductors, and stable men will be put out of employment and their wages stopped for several weeks to come; and whether, in view of the hardships this enforced idleness and loss of pay entails to those men and their families, he will see that at least some remuneration shall be made to them, either by the omnibus companies or the Military authorities, before the contract is closed?
§ Mr. HALDANEI can only repeat what I have said in answer to previous questions on this subject, that the omnibus companies are free agents in any contract 1762 they may enter into with the Military authorities, and the possible consequences of their action are not within my control.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these drivers and conductors are weekly wage-earners, and that, in consequence of this contract for the horses, they will be thrown out of employment? As they will be called upon to provide the necessaries of life for their wives and families, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to find some kind of employment for them during the manœuvres?
§ Mr. HALDANEObviously I cannot reply to that question. Any inquiry as to employment for the men should be addressed to the companies.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us the amount of money which is to be paid for the hire of these horses?