HC Deb 28 March 1917 vol 92 cc397-9
Mr. ANDERSON

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the methods of administration of the Munitions Acts are causing grave industrial unrest in Sheffield; whether he has received a resolution passed unanimously at a mass meeting of 10,000 engineering munition workers demanding the removal within seven days of Sir William Clegg from the chairmanship of the Sheffield Munitions Tribunal; and whether, in view of the present critical position, he will cause immediate investigation to be made in respect of the grievances regarding leaving certificates and other matters?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)

I am not aware of any justification for industrial unrest being caused by the administration of the Munitions Acts in Sheffield. I have had no official intimation as to the matter mentioned in the second part of the question. I under- stand however, that such a resolution was passed and that it contained a threat that unless Sir William Clegg were removed from the chairmanship of the tribunal cessation of work would follow. I cannot too strongly deprecate any such resolution, and I am certainly not prepared in any circumstances to hold an inquiry under pressure of such a threat. The only complaints of the administration of the Acts in Sheffield which have been brought to my notice have been based on a misunderstanding of the provisions of the Acts. If, however, specific complaints for which the Acts provide no appropriate remedy are brought to my notice, I shall be prepared to consider them on full particulars being supplied.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that discontent regarding the administration of leaving certificates is not confined to Sheffield, but that there is general discontent in every part of the country; and, apart from this threat, will he not institute an inquiry into the matter?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The information that reaches the Ministry of Munitions does not bear out any such sweeping statement as that.

Mr. BOOTH

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that in Yorkshire the greatest part of the unrest among the working classes is dissatisfaction with the proposed increase in the price of beer?

Mr. W. THORNE

May I ask whether it is not a fact that I have brought a definite case to the hon. Gentleman's notice, where a man was given a week's notice, served his six weeks' penal period, and then applied for his leaving certificate to the gentleman who has been mentioned, and that gentleman absolutely refused to give him his certificate?

Mr. KELLAWAY

In those circumstances there is no obligation on the chairman of the tribunal to grant a certificate.

Mr. ANDERSON

Why does he not explain that? Has an inspector been sent to Sheffield by the Ministry of Munitions to investigate the very serious industrial position that now obtains in that city?

Mr. KELLAWAY

We have had inspectors in Sheffield now for some time, and the Ministry is fully aware of the circumstances in Sheffield which are aggravating discontent, but those circumstances are not circumstances arising for the most part out of the administration of the Munitions Acts.

Mr. THORNE

Can the hon. Gentleman explain how it is possible for a man to get work anywhere, after he has served his six weeks' penal period, unless he has a leaving certificate? No employer will employ him.

Mr. KELLAWAY

There is no obligation on the part of a workman to have a leaving certificate if he has been out of employment for six weeks.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this provision is being used to compel men to stay in their present occupations, and that men have no freedom of contract whatever?

Mr. KELLAWAY

That is the question at issue. If my hon. Friend will show any specific instance in which it is being used in that sense inquiry will be made, as it has always been made.