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On This Day

25

Sep
2017

In On This Day

By Nicola Gauld

On This Day, 25 September 1917

On 25, Sep 2017 | In On This Day | By Nicola Gauld

Birmingham Mail

Tuesday 25 September 1917

BIRMINGHAM MUNITIONS TRIBUNAL

BEDSTEAD FIRM’S PROTEST

At the Birmingham Munitions Tribunal today, spirited opposition was offered to the granting of a leaving certificate to a girl employed in the manufacturing of bedsteads.

The firm’s representative said they were not controlled but 90% of their work was for the War Office.

Professor Tillyard (chairman): You are not engaged in engineering, shipbuilding, or arms, ammunition, or explosives.

The Representative: No, sir.

The Chairman: Then if you want protection you must apply to become a controlled firm. You do not come within Section 7.

The Representative: Are we to infer that our work people are free to leave?

The Chairman: Thousands of people on munitions are in the same position. The tribunal has come to the conclusion that a leaving certificate is not necessary in this case. Applicant will be given an extract from the register enabling her to get work elsewhere.

The firm’s representative: I accept your decision, but I respectfully protest against it.

The Chairman: You can appeal if you choose.