§ 77. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Local Government Board if he has considered the means by which the businesses of men who are called up for military service could be protected or maintained during their absence; and if he has taken any steps to encourage local authorities to set up committees of carefully selected residents to which these men might refer their difficulties, with the object of securing co-operation on the part of other men in the same businesses who are not serving their country?
Mr. WALSHThe establishment of schemes for maintaining the businesses 222 of men who join the forces has received much attention from the Local Government Board, and excellent schemes have been adopted at a number of places. The best schemes are likely to be those which are managed by traders themselves, for they know exactly the difficulties to be overcome. I may also refer to the Circular issued in December last by the Board on the subject, of which I will forward the hon. Baronet a copy. My right hon. Friend is anxious to do all that he can to push schemes of this kind, and only yesterday held a conference with representatives of the London tribunals on the subject.