§ 22. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether there is a 1033 strike of dock labourers at Glasgow harbour and that an office for the employment of free labourers to take the place of the strikers has been opened at the Windsor Hotel, Glasgow; whether this hotel is leased by the Ministry of Labour and is used to house various Government Departments; whether the agency now located in the same building is to be considered a Government Department: and, in view of the resentment of trade unionists in the city and also of ex-service men who attend this hotel for medical treatment, he will take steps to have this agency closed forthwith?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)I am aware of the circumstances of this case. As regards the second part of the question, the Windsor Hotel is leased by the Office of Works for the accommodation of various Government Departments. The Office for the Employment of Free Labourers at Glasgow harbour was transferred from the Windsor Hotel on the 24th ultimo.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the hon. Gentleman kindly answer that part of, the question as to whether this agency is to be considered part of a Government Department for the enlistment of blackleg labour?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. It is a voluntary organisation, and as soon as attention was drawn to it, it was removed.
§ Mr. MACLEANUnder whose authority was this agency brought from another place in Glasgow and located in a Government building?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI suppose it was done by the local representative in charge of the enlistment, but I do not know.