HC Deb 01 July 1915 vol 72 cc2067-8

(1) If any workman in accordance with arrangements made by the Minister of Munitions with or on behalf of trade unions enters into an undertaking with the Minister of Munitions that he will work at any controlled establishment to which he may be assigned by the Minister, and be subject to the penalty imposed by this Act if he acts in contravention of or fails to comply with the undertaking, that workman shall if he acts in contravention of or fails to comply with his undertaking be guilty of an offence under this Act.

(2) If any employer dissuades or attempts to dissuade a workman in his employment from entering into an undertaking under this Section, or retains or offers to retain in his employment any workman who has entered into such an undertaking after he has received notice from the Minister of Munitions that the workman is to work at some other establishment, that employer shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Mr. TYSON WILSON

I understand that the voluntary workers are going to receive a subsistence allowance. I wish to know whether the unemployed workers will receive that same subsistence allowance?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That does not arise, because those who are sent by the Labour Exchanges have nothing to do with this Clause.

Mr. WILSON

The voluntary workers have to go to the Town Hall, where they enlist the services of men skilled in certain work. I hope the Government will see that you do not send butchers and bakers and milkmen.

Dr. ADDISON

The hon. Gentleman will see, if he looks at the Bill, that we specified the classes of workmen required, such as fitters, wheelwrights, and others.

Mr. J. MASON

I would like to know if the right hon. Gentleman has dealt with the point which I raised on a former occasion of a man employed in other essential industries being safeguarded against being tempted away by this Clause?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That is purely a question of the conditions of enlistment, and once they are in the army we shall do our best to prevent them leaving other employment which is essential to the nation.

Question put, and agreed to.