§ 19. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a workman, whose 843 name has been supplied to him, directed from employment as engineer storekeeper with a firm in Croydon exclusively engaged on war-work, wages £5 15s. a week, to work of a lower grade with a Royal Air Force maintenance unit, wages £3 15s. per week, that he and a number of others spent the night in an unheated hall; whether he will state his wage policy in the matter of directing labour; and whether steps will in future be taken to ensure that appropriate arrangements for-billeting will be made in such cases?
§ Mr. BevinI am having inquiries made into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as these are completed.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWill the Minister deal also with the question of principle?
§ Sir Irving AlberyWill the inquiries cover only the matter mentioned in the last part of the Question, or will they cover also the difference in wages?
§ Mr. BevinThey will cover both points, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that it was this House which laid down in an Act that the transfer had to be at the rate for the job.
§ Sir I. AlberyWill the Minister also have inquiries made into the cases to which I have drawn his attention?