§ 17. Mr. WATTasked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the inconsistency of decisions of the local munitions tribunals in Glasgow on the subject of smoking by the men while engaged on munitions; whether he is aware that one of the tribunals awarded three riveters £3 each for compensation for wrongful dismissal for smoking in working hours, whereas two other Courts refused to grant the men any compensation in similar circumstances; and will he instruct the tribunals how his Department wishes them to act in these cases?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe attention of the Minister of Munitions has been called to a case in which the Glasgow local munitions tribunal awarded £3 each to three riveters for compensation in respect of dismissal due to smoking and idling during working hours. This decision was given at a rehearing after an appeal. I have no information showing inconsistent decisions were given by the Glasgow munitions tribunal, and in any case my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that there is more than one tribunal for the Glasgow district. The munitions tribunals are independent Courts of Law, and the Minister of Munitions has no power to issue to them instructions as to the decisions they shall give.