§ 29. Mr. HARDIEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, despite the numbers of unemployed in the town of Kinross, men have been brought from other places to lay underground telephone cables; and whether this has his approval?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am informed that this small work is now practically completed. It was performed under contract and the contractor would no doubt obtain his labour from the sources most convenient to him. There is nothing in the contract which prevents him from doing so.
§ Mr. HARDIEMy question was whether the Postmaster-General made any attempt throughout the country to deal with the local Employment Exchanges and to give men in the localities a chance.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI cannot say what the position is in regard to any particular contract without reference to the contract.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are idle men in Kinross standing in the streets and looking at the men who have been brought in from a great distance to do the work?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have no doubt that the contractor had the labour which was most convenient and cheapest for him.