§ Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to recent decisions of the Holborn Tribunal in granting Messrs. Falk, Stadelman and Company, a firm of German origin, conditional exemption for thirteen men out of sixteen who were appealed against, whilst a purely British rival firm in the same trade, Messrs. J. and B. Smith, were granted no exemptions out of nine men appealed against; whether he is aware that the chairman of the advisory committee, as well as the members of that body, resigned in consequence of the tribunal's partiality for the firm of German origin; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction in the borough with the tribunal's decisions, he will take steps to secure that Holborn shall be furnished with a tribunal which will command popular confidence?
§ Mr. LONGThe cases referred to were decided so far back as July and August last, and I had some inquiries made into the matter at the time. My hon. Friend does not appear to be correctly informed of the facts. The tribunal is a good one. There is no reason to think that it does not command public confidence, or that the cases in question were not fully and fairly considered from the point of view of national interest; I am informed that the military representative agrees with the decision of the tribunal, and that the first-named firm has supplied a large number of men for the Army. If my hon. Friend would care to call at my office, he could see the papers relating to the case.