§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Building and Civil Engineering Industries Uni- 360W formity Joint Board has decided in favour of the operatives claim for wages in respect of 30th January, 1945, when, in consequence of weather conditions, it was impossible for them to obtain transport from their homes to the Central Ordnance Depot, Donnington, a distance of some 22 miles; that the contractors are still awaiting the authority of his Department to implement the decision of the Uniformity Joint Board; and why communications from the Uniformity Joint Board to his Department have been ignored.
§ Mr. LawsonI am not aware that the Building and Civil Engineering Industries Uniformity Agreement Joint Board has given any decision on this claim. If the Board has given a decision in favour of the operatives, I am not aware that the contractor needs the Department's authority to implement it. I regret to say that no communication from the Joint Board to my Department about this claim has been traced.