§ 44. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Minister of Munitions the precise terms on which soldiers are temporarily lent by the War Office for industrial employment; whether they remain during their work in the factory under military law; and whether they receive the standard wage paid to other workmen doing similar work or whether they receive the ordinary Army rate of pay irrespective of the rates in the factory in which they are employed?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have sent to my hon. Friend copies of the instructions dealing with the release of soldiers for industrial employment. Soldiers released, as distinct from military working parties, receive the standard wage paid to the workman doing similar work.
§ 110. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if a number of soldiers have been sent to the Llanelly Steel Works, South Wales; if the men in question are only receiving a few pence per day over and above their Army pay; if the War Office are charging the employer the full rates of wages in accordance with the trade union rates paid at the works in question; in what way and for what purpose the money is being used that the War Office are receiving over and above the rates of pay paid to the soldiers working at the steel works; if such an arrangement is a violation of all the agreements that have been agreed to between the trade unionists and the Treasury; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs the Secretary of State informed the hon. Member for Stockport yesterday, he has the whole question under consideration. I hope to be in a position to make a statement early next week.