§ 14. Mr. R. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the conditions of the men who are placed as Army Reserve Class W, and sent to Avonmouth as Army Reserve munition workers under his Department; whether these workers, though liable to be fined or sent back to the Army if they lose time, can yet be forced to remain idle by the action of the employers, in consequence of weather, or other circumstances, without wages being paid to them; and whether he can state what is the rule in such cases?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)It has not been possible to trace any special complaints on this subject from the Army Reserve munition' workers employed at Avonmouth. Army Reserve munition workers are employed as civilians and are subject to the ordinary conditions prevailing on the job in the same way as any other workmen except that they may receive additional payments in respect of rate, subsistence and children's allowances. I am informed that during the last eight weeks the total average time lost by Army Reserve munition workers at Avonmouth owing to circumstances for which they were not responsible has been only three and a half hours.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIf I send my hon. Friend particulars of cases brought to my notice will he have them looked into?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYCertainly.