§ 39. Mr. CURRIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received from the Edinburgh and District Trades Council a protest against the alleged intention of the War Office to import from America finished wooden houses for the use of Belgian refugees in this country; whether any such intention exists; whether the council's protest appears to be based upon the view that such imports would deprive British working men of their wages; whether the council is right in stating that unemployment is rife in the building trade; what reply he has made to the council's communication; and whether, in connection with foreign purchases and contracts, the Government is acting partly on the advice of a representative member of the Labour party closely in touch with trade union feeling?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I have seen a copy of the resolution passed by the Edinburgh and District Trades Council, but I think that my hon. Friend's inquiry should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works.