§ 17. Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARDasked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the dismissal, in Hull, at a week's notice, of 130 tramway men who volunteered to operate the tramway service during the general strike and, owing to their efficiency, have been retained ever since in the service; and, in view of the victimisation which is involved by this dismissal, what action she intends to take in the matter?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThis matter is one for decision by the Hull City Council, and I have no authority to intervene.
§ Sir A. LAMBERT WARDDoes the right hon. Lady consider this treatment to be in accord with the appeal made by the present Prime Minister and the present Lord Privy Seal, and the promise made on the 16th May, 1926, to the effect that there should be no victimization?
§ Miss BONDFIELDVictimisation, whether by employers or otherwise—[Interruption].
§ Major CARVERIs the right hon. Lady aware that these men for the last three years have been peacefully following their occupation, and that this victimisation is due to the fact that for the first time there is a Socialist majority on the Hull City Council.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is nothing in that question for which the Minister of Labour has any responsibility.
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL - MAITLANDMay I ask the Minister of Labour whether her predecessor, during the later months of 1926, did not get into touch both with employers and with organisations of workers with the object of seeing that cases of victimisation might be gone into and remedied; and does not the right hon. Lady feel that she also might get into touch with the employers in the present case?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Lady has given an answer already.
§ Miss BONDFIELDI should like to have notice of the right hon. Gentleman's question.
§ Mr. TOM SMITHIs the Minister of Labour aware that a good deal of victimisation by employers took place in respect of the activities of certain men?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese questions are all irrelevant to the question on the Paper.