§ 41. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Minister of Munitions whether Messrs. John Brown and Company, Sheffield, are putting off work for a week men employed as moulders; whether these highly skilled men are anxious to work at shell turning and shell testing when not required to work at moulding; and whether, in view of the appeal of the Munitions Department for unskilled and semi-skilled workers to help in the production of shells, steps will be taken to see that moulders who are in the employ of firms now turning out munitions shall have preference as against un skilled labour in the production of shells if their whole time is not required at the work of moulding?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am afraid it would be difficult to lay down a strict rule such as that suggested particularly if, as appears from the question, the moulders are only unoccupied for a part of their time; but I hope that employers will take every opportunity of keeping skilled men fully employed.