§ 75. Mr. Manningham-Bullerasked the Minister of Supply whether he has now 797 completed his review of the policy followed by his Department with regard to the discharge of ex-Servicemen; and whether he will make a statement as to his present policy.
§ Mr. WilmotI understand the hon. Member is referring to the retention of Irish workers while others, including some ex-Servicemen, were discharged from certain depots on redundancy. This matter has been considered by the Ministry of Supply Joint Industrial Council, who could not agree to a departure from the normal redundancy procedure. I have decided, however, that it would be wrong to continue to pay lodging allowances when local labour has become available, and these allowances will be withdrawn.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this matter has now been pending for several months, and does his answer mean that ex-Servicemen are to be discharged before some of the Southern Irish workers who did not fight in the war?
§ Mr. WilmotIn the case of redundancy, discharges take place in accordance with the redundancy agreement reached with the trade unions on the basis of "last to come, first to go." Ex-Servicemen have, of course, special rights under the reinstatement provisions, but, apart from that, that is the principle which applies.
§ Sir R. RossIs the Minister aware that ex-Servicemen were busy fighting whereas Southern Irishmen were not but worked in civilian occupations; and is it the Government's policy to retain in their employment people who came from a neutral country in preference to ex-Servicemen?
§ Mr. WilmotThe performance of work in factories is a valuable public service.
§ Sir R. RossBut less dangerous.