§ 53. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Minister of Munitions whether he has had reported to him a case which came before the Huddersfield Munitions Tribunal in which Harry Dennis Earnshaw, small-wire drawer, in the employment of Messrs. Ramsden, Camm and Company, complained that his certificate had been with held unreasonably; whether he is aware that Earnshaw contended that the firm would neither provide him with work to do nor let him go elsewhere, and that the firm admitted that that was the position; and in view of the statement of this firm that they were trying to obtain compensation for this workman from the Ministry of Munitions will he say whether such a demand has been made and, if so, what answer, if any, has been returned?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MUNITIONS DEPARTMENT (Dr. Addison)My right hon. Friend received a letter from the firm asking for advice as to the course they should pursue in this case, and inquiring in particular whether they should make an offer of compensation. Since the case was about to come before a local tribunal, and appeared to involve questions of law under the Munitions of War Acts, my right hon. Friend did not feel justified, pending the hearing, in advising them. In view, however, of the decision now reported to have been given by the tribunal, the firm are being advised that this is a case in which, in the Minister's opinion, compensation should be paid by them.