17. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Lieutenant Gordon, of the D.O.R.E., at Bramshott Camp, has paid off all the trade union carpenters under his control, and that he has given instructions to two firms of contractors at the camp to the effect that they must not give employment to a workman named Heath; and whether he will take steps to prevent this officer treating workmen in this way?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am informed that the officer referred to recently paid off certain 1434 carpenters as there was no further work for them in that portion of the camp under his control. Most of these men were taken on in another part of the camp where there was work. It is not known whether any of them are trade unionists or not, as inquiries are not made on this point either on the men being taken on or paid off. There are no contractors at the camp in question.
§ Mr. FORSTERI have no information on that point.
§ Mr. FORSTERI have never heard that they have been given, and I do not think they have. The allegation in the question is that instructions were given to two firms of contractors at the camp to the effect that they must not give employment to a workman named Heath. There are no contractors at the camp, so that the instructions cannot have been given to them.