§ Mr. AUBREY HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of a prolongation of the present coal labour troubles or in the event of the occurrence of labour troubles in other branches of public utility services, he will cause a Return to be made giving the numbers of men in His Majesty's Services and Reserves who could be detailed for service in coal mines as hewers, as surface men, or for other work necessary to carry on the service of coal mining; on railway systems as engine-drivers and firemen, as signalmen or pointsmen, and telegraphists; in gas works; in electric light producing works; and in shipping trades as seamen, as dockers, or as sea-going engineers respectively?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt would not be practicable, nor do I think it desirable, to grant such a Return as is suggested.