§ 21. Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has obtained particulars of the statement made by a conscientious objector to the Bristol tribunal that he received nine weeks' wages and did no work; whether the man and his foreman have been traced; and whether in such cases the tribunal is expected to report such cases to the War Office or the Ministry of Labour?
§ Mr. EdenI have ascertained that the man was employed from 21st September to 10th November, 1939, as a carpenter's labourer. His rate was 1s. 2d. an hour, and he was paid £18 3s. 2d. in all. The foreman has been traced but states that several hundred men have passed through 13 his hands since last September and that he cannot remember any individual employé by name. It is not possible, therefore, to prove or disprove the man's statement. As regards the last part of the Question, if any point arises out of an application or at a hearing which the tribunal wish to have brought to the notice of the Department concerned, it is reported to the Ministry of Labour, who would take the necessary action.
§ Sir R. YoungAre any records kept by the Government as to the men employed on these contracts?