asked the Minister of Works why the certificate of registration as a builder, under Defence Regulation 56AB, was withdrawn from Mr. F. C. Bath, Camberley, Surrey, on 3rd October, 1946, while he was engaged upon a contract to build 10 houses for the Easthampstead Rural District Council in Park Road, Sandhurst, and not re-issued until April, 1947.

The registration certificate was revoked on the recommendation of the Registration Panel because of failure to observe industrial agreements. Mr. Bath was subsequently prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and was fined on 22nd March, 1947. The certificate was re-issued in April on the recommendation of the Registration Panel.

Is the Minister aware that the only reason why this dispute arose was because the Building and Civil Engineers Employment Holidayswith-Pay Company refused to honour an old holiday-with-pay card, because they alleged that it was presented after its validity had expired?

That was the subject of consideration by the registration panel who removed the certificate.

Is it not a fact that what the Minister said in his first answer casts a reflection upon a gentleman who is a constituent of mine, was not the case one of extreme prejudice, and is it petty for his Department to hold building in this small-minded way?

What I said on the matter cast no aspersion on the person concerned. All I said was that he was subsequently prosecuted and as a result was fined.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prosecution only took place several weeks after the company had agreed to cash such out of date holiday-with-pay cards as were presented?

That is not my responsibility.