HC Deb 12 June 1947 vol 438 cc1333-4
47. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour if his talks with the football pool promoters are now completed; what labour they expect to employ in the coming season; what reductions they have made in their staffs and to what industries has the labour gone; and if he is now satisfied with the position.

Mr. Isaacs

In reply to the first and last parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Monslow), on 17th April last. Information to enable replies to be given to the remainder of the Question is not available.

Mr. Osborne

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is satisfactory now, in June, to give me an answer as to the state of his mind last April? Is he satisfied with the position today, in view of the bottleneck in labour in the textile industry? Cannot he get more labour from the football pools to put into this industry? Is he satisfied with the position?

Mr. Isaacs

I was not asked whether I was satisfied or not; I was asked about the position.

Mr. Osborne

I did ask whether the right hon. Gentleman was satisfied.

Mr. Isaacs

I referred the hon. Member to the answer I gave to another hon. Member, which sets out all the information I have at my disposal.

Mr. Osborne

On a point of Order. The Minister said, Sir, that I did not ask whether he was satisfied with the position. Can the Minister read and understand King's English?

Mr. Speaker

Whether a Member likes the answer that is given to him or not is not a point of Order.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that between now and the next football season this matter will be most actively pursued, as there is a widespread feeling among those who are in no sense spoilsports that there is a great waste of manpower in connection with football pools?

Mr. Isaacs

I have no authority to intervene in what should or should not be the activities of these football pool associations. The answer I gave earlier, and the conference I had with them, showed that they were most anxious to co-operate, and are carrying out the undertaking they gave me.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Due, I am sure to a misunderstanding, the right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the Question.

Mr. Isaacs

I said that I had no further information beyond what I have already given.

Mr. Osborne

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied? That was my question. He is afraid of it.