HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1691-2
16. Mr. JOHN WARD

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can give the name of the local Labour Exchange manager at Dublin; and whether he is capable of performing all the duties of his office in that part of Ireland in a satisfactory manner?

Mr. BUXTON

The manager of the Labour Exchange, Dublin, is Mr. E. L. Richardson. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. I have already explained to my hon. Friend the reason why Mr. Gemmell was sent to Ireland to assist in the selection of the men. He was, by his previous experience before entering the Labour Exchanges and by his long experience of the special requirements of the work at Rosyth, peculiarly fitted to select the right type of applicant that was required. Special care was necessary in the interests of the men themselves in making the selection, in order to avoid the danger of sending men all the way from Ireland who, though generally suitable as navvies, might not be suited to the special requirements of Rosyth, and who might be consequently rejected.

17. Mr. JOHN WARD

asked who sanctioned the journey of Mr. H. Gemmell, of the Rosyth Labour Exchange, to Dublin in search of navvies and labourers to work on the Government dock at 5d. per hour; how many days was Mr. H. Gemmell absent from his office at Rosyth; who performed his duties in his absence; and what was the total cost to his Department for securing the fifty-two Dublin navies for the Government contractor at Rosyth?

Mr. BUXTON

Mr. Gemmel's journey, the object of which is incorrectly stated in my hon. Friend's question, was sanctioned by the Assistant Divisional Officer for Scotland. He was absent from his office during two working days, one of these a Saturday. His duties were performed in his absence by his assistant. The journey was undertaken as part of the ordinary duties of the Labour Exchange manager, and the cost of recruiting the fifty-two navvies cannot be separately stated.

Mr. J. WARD

I beg to give notice that, if the House adjourns at a reasonable time, I shall call attention to this matter.