§ 42. Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Munitions if he is yet in a position to say if the Clyde deportees are to be allowed to 1214 return to their homes; and, if not, what steps can they take to enable them to conform to any reasonable requirement of the Government?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy right hon. Friend has received representations in regard to these men, both from the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, to which society all or most of the men belong, and from the National Labour Advisory Committee on War Output. We have naturally attached great weight to these representations and have decided accordingly to permit certain of the men to return, provided they will accept the employment which will be offered to them there and are prepared to sign an undertaking embodying among other matters a promise to submit any grievances through the recognised machinery of their trade union, and to abstain from any act in any way likely to prejudice the supply of munitions or other war work. In coming to this decision as to these particular men, the Minister of Munitions has been guided by a careful examination of records, and by the fact that since their removal they have all taken other employment, and, according to our information, have worked loyally up to the present time. In no circumstances can he proceed to deal with the cases of the other men for a period of three months, and then only if he is fully satisfied that their conduct has for a substantial period been comparable to that of the men who will now be allowed to return.
§ Mr. BARNESDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that this distinction between one man and another will only lead to further trouble? Would it not be better to take the cherry at one bite? Will he make (representations to his right hon. Friend in that direction?
§ Dr. ADDISONI cannot undertake to do that. We have examined these cases with every possible care and are confident that we have arrived at the right decision.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the hon. Gentleman say who are the men who are not to be allowed to return?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, the names will be published in a short time.
§ Mr. BARNESCan the hon. Gentleman say what these men have to do in order to place themselves in compliance with the conditions in three months?
§ Dr. ADDISONThey should take work and continue quietly at it as the other men have done, and be prepared to observe the requirements as to conduct.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some of them are not at work?
§ Dr. ADDISONOne of them has refused to take any work, and we cannot in any circumstances allow a man to return who will not undertake to work.