§ 12. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Minister of Munitions the terms of the agreement for the dilution of labour at the works of Messrs. William Beardmore and Company, Parkhead, Glasgow?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)The principles on which dilution at Messrs. Beardmore's is being carried out are common to all arrangements of the kind, namely, that skilled men are being replaced by semi-skilled or unskilled men and by women on work which can properly be performed by them in accordance with the terms of the Munitions of War Acts and of the other prescribed conditions and understandings. The actual arrangements are necessarily of a highly technical nature which could not usefully be explained in answer to a question.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my hon. Friend not aware that the arrangement in regard to Messrs. Beardmore is in a very short document, and can easily be explained to Parliament within the compass of an answer to a question?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy hon. Friend is incorrectly informed. The work women and unskilled men are asked to do is set out in technical terms, and it could not be very well given in answer to a question. I will be glad to give to my hon. Friend a full account.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my hon. Friend not aware that an agreement was reached between the employers and the representatives of workmen which is confined within the space of a single sheet of paper?
§ Dr. ADDISONI will see if I can give my hon. Friend more information.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI will put a question down again.