§ 25. Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Labour whether inquiries have been completed into the case of H. Burrage, late sergeant in the Sherwood Foresters, who applied for reinstatement at Chilwell factory, and who was informed that only soldiers in uniform, drawing His Majesty's pay and under Army discipline, would in future be employed at that place, and if he will say when such a decision was arrived at, by whom, and for what reasons; is he aware that since the first time this question was tabled men have been taken to task for stating the above facts; and will he take steps to see that no victimisation is the result?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Wardle)I have made inquiries into this matter, and find that it is not the fact that only soldiers in uniform are being taken on at the Chilwell Army Ordnance Depot, though I understand that an unfounded rumour to this effect was casually mentioned to Mr. Burrage by a clerk at a neighbouring Employment Exchange. My information is that ex-Service men are not only being taken on at the depot in question, but are given the preference over other applicants. I am drawing the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to the points raised in the latter part of the question.