§ 68. Mr. HOGGEasked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the recent decision stating that men engaged on making machinery for manufacturing biscuits are not munition workers; whether he is aware that men engaged on Army contracts for making biscuits are also denied war badges and as a consequence are seeking work where they can get such badges; and whether, in these circumstances, he will make a statement making it plain who are and who are not munition workers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MUNITIONS DEPARTMENT (Dr. Addison)My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the decision of a Metropolitan Munitions Tribunal that certain men engaged on the manufacture of machinery for chocolate coating, icing, and biscuit manufacturing, were not engaged on munition work and did not therefore require a certificate under Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act to enable them to obtain employment elsewhere. As regards the second part of the question, it is the case that war service badges have not been issued to men engaged on making biscuits. The contracts for such supplies would be made by the War Office and not by the Ministry of Munitions; and in regard to men employed on such contracts, the Ministry would act on the advice of the War Office in issuing badges. As regards the last part of the question, "munitions work" is defined in Section 3 of the Munitions of War Act. The detailed interpretation of it must rest with the tribunals.