§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the conditions under which the works of the Ailsa Craig Motor Company are being returned to the firm will permit of the re-employment of the firm's old workpeople; whether he is aware that, in spite of repeated applications by letter and telegram, no reply other than that the matter is under consideration has been sent by the Ministry to a letter addressed to them on the 17th July last by the old 1523W employâs at the request of the Ministry giving detailed reasons why the terms of the Ministry, if imposed on the company, would make it impossible for them to reemploy their old workpeople; and whether he is taking, or has taken, any steps to give effect to the intention expressed in Parliament to place the company in a position to re-employ their old work-people?
Mr. J. HOPEI am not prepared to accept the statement that the proposed agreement will not enable the company to resume operations. No detailed reply could be sent to the letter of 17th July in view of the fact that the matters in dispute were and still aresub judice. In the event of the company completing the agreement, it will rest with them to carry on business as they may think fit, and to employ such of their old workpeople as they may determine to.