§ 74. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the military authorities in Dublin have refused to pay the standard wage paid by private employers to dockers at the port of Dublin, and have sent soldiers to do the work of any docker refusing to accept less than a standard wage; and what action it is proposed to take in this matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERThere seems to be some misunderstanding in this matter. I am not aware of any refusal to pay the standard rate of wages. Military labour has been used to unload military cargoes because civilian labour is not obtainable. The responsibility for the rate of wages paid to dockers rests, I believe, with the Ministry of Shipping.