74. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that workmen employed by Messrs. Jackson, Wharf Foundry, Bolton, are being compelled by his Department to leave Messrs. Jackson's to go and work elsewhere; if he is aware that this firm is engaged on important and urgent work for the Army and the Navy, and that this work is being delayed owing to the transfer of these men; and whether he will give instructions that workmen employed on work for the Government must not be compulsorily transferred to other employers?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy right hon. Friend is aware that war munition volunteers have been transferred from the firm in question. Every case of proposed transfer is carefully examined by skilled adjudicators with business experience. Full opportunity is given to the employers to show cause against any transfer, and their objections are carefully considered by the adjudicators. The sole criterion is the relative urgency of the work. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot give the instructions asked for in the last part of the question, as there may obviously be different degrees of urgency in different classes of munition work.
Mr. WILSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that work urgently required by the Navy is being held up owing to men being taken from this firm?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat may be so, but it is a question of deciding where the men are most necessary.
Mr. WILSONCould you not leave the decision as to whether men should be transferred or not to the Local Munition Committee?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo, that would not do. It must be referred to a body which cam deal with the whole subject.