Mr. T. WILSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Messrs. Boots and Company, of Sheffield, the contractors for the erection of the huts at the Harley Hill military camp, Richmond, Yorkshire, suspend the work if it rains although there is plenty of inside work for the men to do; and whether, in view of the fact that many of these men are working a long distance from their homes, he will approach this firm with the object of inducing them to adopt a better system in connection with this contract?
§ Mr. FORSTERMessrs. Boots and Company, of Sheffield, are employed at Richmond Camp under Messrs. Harper Brothers, War Department agents, who are responsible to the War Office for the construction. It appears that on two occasions since May 1st the work has been stopped on account of rain. No complaint has been made, either to the War Department agents or the supervising military staff, as to the system in operation. Such complaints, if made, would receive attention, every care being taken to make the workmen comfortable and to ensure that their reasonable wants are supplied.