§ 39. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that for nearly three years a British firm has been looking after the British cemeteries in Arras, France, and that the contractor engaged a number of British ex-service men to do the work, who took their wives and children out with them; that the last two contracts have been given to a Belgian firm and, consequently, about 90 ex-service and married men will be discharged and will have to be sent home, which will add to the number of men out of employment in this country; if he can state the reasons why the Belgian firm has received the contracts to look after British cemeteries; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Lieut.-Colonel Jackson)The hon. Member is, I think, under some misapprehension. All the British military cemeteries in France and Belgium are cared for, not by contractors, but by British ex-service men in the direct employ of the Imperial War Graves Commission who have no intention of making any alteration in the practice. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.
If, however, the hon. Member is referring to contracts for the construction of cemeteries, I would point out that a British firm, who was the lowest tenderer, has just received a contract for the construction of 22 cemeteries, and I trust, 223 therefore, that no British workmen hitherto employed on such work will be discharged.
The Imperial War Graves Commission would, however, be obliged if the hon. Member would communicate the details of any cases he may have in mind in order that inquiry may be made.