Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the recent strike of dockers at the Royal Albeit Docks, London, soldiers stationed at Leyton were brought in daily to act as dockers in the unloading of ships; whether these service units consisted of volunteers for this work; whether volunteers were called for; and to what extent soldiers recruited and enlisted under the Compulsory Service Acts have been compelled to perform civil strike-breaking duties?
§ Sir J. GriggTroops are not employed for the purpose of breaking strikes. They have occasionally during the war been employed in place of civilian workers solely for purposes essential to the conduct of military operations or for performing services vital to the life of the community. The military units sent to the Royal Albert Docks on the occasion referred to in the Question were performing such duties. The answer to the second and third parts of the Question is "No, Sir."
Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War whether adequate arrangements were made by the military authorities for the feeding of the soldiers called on to work as dockers in the recent Royal Albert Dock strike; whether he is aware that on Sunday, 31st October, an inadequate mid-day meal of small sandwiches was provided and that on the following morning the soldiers ordered to undertake these duties had to march to the docks from their headquarters without any breakfast; and whether he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents?
§ Sir J. GriggFrom a report on the arrangements for feeding and transporting these soldiers it appears that my hon. Friend is misinformed. The arrangements made were adequate and on the whole worked satisfactorily. On one day one of the carts bringing rations to these men lost its way and some of the men had to wait until 2 o'clock for their mid-day meal. On 31st October and 1st November the troops had their breakfast as usual and were then taken to the docks by lorry. They took with them a haversack ration of large spam sandwiches, bread 1457W and cheese, doughnuts and cakes and they were given hot tea and cocoa at the docks. They had a hot dinner when they returned in the evening.
Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War on how many occasions in this war soldiers have been used to perform civil work during strikes, whether authorised or unauthorised; what is the procedure when soldiers refuse to perform these duties; whether military penal records are available of any punishments imposed on soldiers for declining to do this type of work; and whether in every case soldiers have been tried in military courts and allowed opportunities for adequate defence?
§ Sir J. GriggI understand that the answer to the first part of the Question is 13. Soldiers who disobey lawful commands are dealt with in accordance with the normal procedure under military law; no special records are kept of punishments awarded for such offences distinguishing between the different kinds of occasion of disobedience. Offences against the Army Act are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of that Act and the rules of procedure made there-under. I am not aware of any case where the accused was not given adequate opportunities for his defence.