§ 18. Mr. HAYDAYasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that at the Gretna munitions factory an allowance of 5s. per week to workmen, known as temporary allowance or lodging allowance, was discontinued on 4th October, 1919; that the Gretna munitions tribunal decided that such stoppage of wages was contrary to the provisions of the Wages (Temporary Regulations) Act of 1918; that the appeal of the Ministry of Munitions to the High Court against this decision was dismissed by Mr. Justice Sands, at Edinburgh, on 11th May, 1920; 2128 that the workmen have since been endeavouring to get the back money due to them without success; and if he will state the reason the money is being withheld?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThis factory did not come under the control of the War Office until 1st June. As regards the first three parts of the question, I understand the position to have been substantially as stated in so far as the main body of workers (excluding agricultural workers) was concerned. As regards the fourth and fifth parts, arrangements for the payment of the arrears up to the end of March are in progress; but the question as to what part (if any) of the allowance the Department is called upon to continue to pay beyond that date, in view of general increases of wages granted in April and June, is under consideration.