§ 121. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War why four companies of artisan works, R.E., are being employed in Palestine where there is local labour available which could be used and thus release British men for urgent building work in this country.
§ Mr. LawsonI understand that there is a general shortage of building labour in Palestine. Particularly in the areas in which the four artisan works companies are employed, civilian labour cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities. These troops are fully employed on the very necessary and important work of improving the standard of accommodation available for the Army in Palestine.