§ 11. Sir GEORGE TOULMINasked the Secretary for War whether he has received information as to the appeal by the military representative from the decision of the Widnes Tribunal in the case of an employé of Messrs. Bibby and Baron, Limited; whether he is aware that the firm are the largest exporters in the country of the goods manufactured at the Widnes works; and whether he can now indicate a method by which their case may be fully heard?
§ Mr. FORSTERCareful inquiry has been made into the facts of this case. The result shows that several of the statements contained in my hon. Friend's question of the 4th July are inaccurate. The clerk to the Appeal Tribunal definitely states that it is not a fact that the Appeal Tri- 182 bunal were mislead by a statement made by the military representative, and that they refused to listen to the appellant's-explanation. As a matter of fact, the appellant gave evidence, and was examined by the chairman, and it was on his own statement that the tribunal dismissed the appeal. On the 3rd July an application was made by the firm's solicitor for a rehearing. I am informed that this was heard by the tribunal in private, and that the military representative was not present, and that the application was refused. The case does not appear to be one which should be reopened.