§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Jennie Kirkpatrick, 2, Westpark Terrace, Maxwelltown, Dumfries, and Kate Murdoch, 149, St. Michael Street, Dumfries, worked as weavers for Messrs. Scotts, Troqueer Mills, Dumfries; that the firm is not con- 2168W trolled; that on Monday, 4th December, 1916, they had finished their webs; that it is the custom there for workers to be able to leave when their webs are finished; that for the two full days following they were idle, and left work on 6th December; that they asked for work at various places in Dumfries, including the Arrol Johnston Motor Works, Galloway Engineering Works, controlled establishments, and the post office, where they were told they could not be employed without leaving certificates; that they consulted a solicitor and applied for certificates, munitions tribunal, at Dumfries, and their ease was heard before Sheriff Fyfe on the 16th February; that the case was adjourned, and the girls were advised to go back to their work without prejudice to their case; and whether, seeing that these women have been idle for eleven weeks, that they cannot get work, and that they were idle for two days, which in a controlled works would entitle them to a certificate, he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Sir W. EVANSI have been asked by my right hon. Friend to take this question. I am not in full possession of the facts of the case. Inquiries are, however, being made, and the result will be communicated to my hon. Friend in due course.