HC Deb 25 June 1917 vol 95 cc26-7

The following questions were on the Paper in the name of Captain BURGOYNE:

54. To ask the Prime Minister whether, owing to the pressing need of men for the Army, he will consider the advisability of dilution officers, when considering protection certificates, being instructed to consult with the military representative and the officer responsible for substitution in the district concerned?

55. To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in the coal agency firm of J. Gothard and Son, Chesterfield, six of the ten men employed are of military age; whether he will state why J. A. Richardson, aged forty, described as manager, H. S. Richardson, aged twenty-nine, described as secretary and cashier, J. Pharoah, aged thirty-six, described as confidential assistant and traffic manager, H. B. Southern, aged forty, described as labelling and controller of traffic, have always held badges and now hold protection certificates; and, seeing that two other men, aged respectively thirty-two and twenty-four, are employed as motor driver and labourer, will he say what action he intends to take in this and similar cases, in view of the needs of the Army at the present time?

No Minister rose to reply.

Captain BURGOYNE

May I ask who is responsible for the answers to these questions?

Mr. SPEAKER

These are Departmental matters. I do not know whose Department they are in.

Mr. HODGE

I rather think it is the Ministry of Munitions.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am sorry. The Minister of Labour was asked to take these questions.