Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the discontent among the members of the engineering and shipbuilding labour advisory committees in consequence of having to wait a long while before they can obtain their allowance and travelling expenses; if he is aware that they have waited as long as four months before payment has been made; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Sir R. HORNEMy attention has been called to this matter. An investigation shows that an average period of less than six days elapses between the receipt in London of claims from members of these committees and their payment. In some cases the claims have been so incompletely stated as to require return for further particulars. In other cases claims have been delayed in reaching the London office, but instructions have been given to prevent a recurrence of this.