§ 78. Mr. BYRNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will see that the Committee of Production awards shall be paid to all Government workers in Ireland; and if he will cause to be circulated a list setting out the class of workers that are entitled to the recent 12½per cent. award?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)I have been asked to reply to this question. The awards of the Committee on Production are applicable to the establishments in respect of which the employers and the unions, or workmen concerned, have been parties to the arbitration proceedings. If the employers concerned have establishments in Ireland, and the application included these, the awards will be applicable to those establishments. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the Orders which governed the 12½ per cent. bonus.
§ Mr. HOLTIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that during the absence of compulsory military service the labour market in Ireland is in a much more favourable position than in England, and will he in the interests of the public Exchequer take advantage of that fact in any Government transaction?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI should like notice of that question.