§ 65. Major W. MURRAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that a claim for one week's wages in lieu of notice, made by certain ex-service men employed at Gretna factory during the railway strike and dismissed with one day's notice, has been refused; and whether, in view of a recent decision given by Lord Sands in a similar case to the effect that such men were entitled to a week's wages in lieu of notice, and of the tact that the men in question were not told that their employment was temporary or from day to day, he will state the reasons for the Department's 40 action in this case or cause the matter to be re-investigated?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. James Hope)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In September, 1919, a number of men were employed to take the place of lorry drivers on strike. On the termination of the strike these men were given one day's notice as they were engaged on the strict understanding that their employment was for the duration of the strike only. I am advised, in view of these conditions of employment, that this is a case which falls within the category of "discontinuous and temporary employment" within the meaning of the Acts.