§ 54 and 55. Mr. HUDSONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) under what powers the Great Central Railway Company refused a leaving certificate to a platelayer named Hallam in August last, and objected to him working for the Leicester Tramways Company, whereby Hallam was two weeks and three days out of employment; and what steps he proposes to take in order to avoid waste of labour owing to the misapplication of the Munitions Act; and (2) if a platelayer named Hallam, employed by the Great Central Railway Company, obtained work with the Leicester Tramways Company at 5s. per week more wages, but was not allowed to commence work with the latter company in consequence of the interference of the railway company; that Hallam then applied for a leaving certificate to the local munitions tribunal, which body decided that he did not come within the Munitions Act; that pending the decision of the munitions tribunal Hallam suffered a loss of £3 19s. 7d. in wages through being out of work; and will he say who should pay that sum to Hallam?
Mr. ROBERTSI am not sure that the case to which reference is made is one in 802 which the Board of Trade can properly intervene, but I will make further inquiries, and let my hon. Friend know the result.