§ 51. Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that though the great majority of men engaged in mines and shipyards are working full time, from 15 to 18 per cent. of the total number of men employed in these industries, excluding men who are on the compensation and sick funds, are absenting themselves from their work, and that this average is due to a proportion of the men only attending their work two and three days a week; whether he has any powers to compel all employers of labour to make returns showing the number of men of military age who habitually neglect their work; and, if not, will he obtain the necessary powers from the House so that these men can be removed from the reserved trades for military service?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe first part of my hon. Friend's question was fully dealt with in the speech made by the President of the Local Government Board yesterday. With regard to the rest, the question of withdrawing certificates of exemption from men whose services can be shown not to be indispensable to the working of the mines can at any time be raised before the colliery recruiting courts. In some districts the men themselves are taking steps to check undue absenteeism, and this is likely to be far more effective than any other method.
As regards shipyards, the Government have ample power to get all necessary information. They have the question of bad time-keeping under grave consideration, but the actual suggestion made by the hon. Member raises issues which might prove highly controversial.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMBecause they are highly controversial are they not to be dealt with?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIt makes it very difficult to deal with them by question and answer.