MAN-POWER (CONFERENCES).

HC Deb 05 February 1918 vol 101 cc2143-4W

Mr. R. LAMBERT

asked the Minister of National Service whether he can make any statement concerning his conferences, especially at Liverpool and Glasgow, with engineers, and the progress made in carrying out his man-power proposals?

Mr. BECK

The meetings at Liverpool and Glasgow to which the hon. Member has referred were mass meetings of the members of the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades. The Minister of National Service received invitations from the district presidents to be present at these meetings and to explain the Government proposals. These invitations he accepted, and in each case received a fair hearing. The work of raising men for the forces is proceeding not unsatisfactorily, well over 40,000 men having been posted since 1st January.