§ 13. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the general rule to march unemployed persons in regimental style to and from the place of work and the training camp; and whether any instructions have been given to this effect by his Department?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir. No such instructions have been given. The men assemble at the training centre and are expected to keep roughly together in going to their place of work.
§ Mr. RidleyIf circumstances of this kind are brought to his notice will they meet with the right hon. Gentleman's disapproval?
§ Mr. BrownI will look into any cases which are brought to my notice. Of course, there are men who want to be extreme individualists and march alone, but it is not always possible to meet individual cases.
§ Mr. LawsonA serious allegation is made. What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "keep roughly together"?
§ Mr. BrownIn the ordinary way, after assembly, the men move off together to their work in the centres, in orderly groups of three or four.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxWill the right hon. Gentleman, in order to check the growth of militarism, issue instructions that these people are to slouch to their work, look on the ground the whole time and, like the Labour party, never walk in step.