§ 34. Mr. MORRELLased the Minister of Munitions if he will make inquiries into the case of F. Greenwood, formerly of Burnley, and now working in the war department at Messrs. Waring and Gillows, and particularly if he will say whether this man was sent by the Burnley Labour Exchange, in November, 1915, to Vickers' Works, at Erith; whether as the result of his work there he lost his health so seriously that it was necessary for him either to leave this firm entirely or to be transferred to another job; that the firm refused to transfer him; that he then gave notice to Messrs. Vickers, dated 1st July, 1916, that he would leave their employment; that he has since been employed on war work by Messrs. Waring and Gillows, and that Messrs. Vickers have refused to give him his discharge, so as to force him back into their employment; and whether, in view of the fact that this man's health has been impaired, and that he is now engaged upon important war work, the Government will take steps to see that the Munitions Act is not used by Messrs. Vickers as an instrument of industrial compulsion?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)The proper course for the workman in question, if he considers that a leaving certificate has been unreasonably refused, is to lodge a complaint with the Metropolitan Local Munitions Tribunal, who may, if they think fit, grant a leaving 1635 certificate. The case has previously been brought to my attention, and the workman has been advised to take the steps indicated above. I am not aware whether he has yet done so.