§ 39. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the telephone operator of Bryanston 2001 School, aged 19 years, has been appointed telephone operator at Blandford Camp, now under construction, at £4 per week of 48 hours plus 4s. an hour for overtime, which will normally bring his emoluments to 8 a week; whether he proposes to take any action; and whether work of this kind could be given to ex-service men?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe telephone operator is a contractor's employéat the camp now under construction at Blandford. I am informed that he receives no overtime pay, but that he is paid at an inclusive rate of £4 a week, covering all time worked. The contract contained, in accordance with usual War Office practice, a request to the contractor to employ ex-service men as far as possible.
Mr. De la BèreIs not one of the reasons why the land is so denuded of young men the fact that these contractors are able to pay higher wages than the farmers?