§ 39. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to a small shop strike among marble masons in Manchester for the purpose of bringing one particular employer up to the level of the other employers in respect of standard wages; whether he is aware that two men involved in the dispute have received from their employer a letter, typewritten on his business paper, informing them that he has obtained a communication from the military representative, dated 18th October, that the men must report for service with the Colours at once; whether it is the intention of the War Office that the Military Service Acts should thus be used to help employers who refuse to pay fair wages; and, if not, what action he proposes to take to stop such glaring instances of industrial conscription?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware of the circumstances in this case, but am making inquiries.