36. Lieut.-Colonel H EN EAG Easked the Minister of Labour how many labourers and how many foremen employed at the aerodrome at Manby are from Southern Ireland, and why local workmen are not employed?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI understand that four foremen and 27 unskilled workpeople employed in connection with this aerodrome are Irish, but I do not know whether they come from Southern Ireland or Northern Ireland. In all, 299 men are at present employed on the work, most of whom are local men.
§ Mr. MARKLEWHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman received a report from the representative of his Department who was down there on Friday, and if he has not received that report, or if he has, has he any information to confirm the suggestion that the failure to employ local labour on this contract is very largely 872 due to the contractors' anxiety to let sleeping huts on the premises and to secure tenants for the canteen which they also supply; and will he also consult his colleague, the Minister of Transport, who, I understand, is also very largely responsible for the employment of Irish labourers?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI think the hon. Member has given me rather a plateful to answer in reply to a supplementary question.