§ 52. Mr. HAYESasked the Minister of Labour whether he has received an assurance from the statutory committee for the new Mersey Tunnel that all labour required locally for the work of the construction of the tunnel will be engaged through the local Employment Exchanges, and that labour from other sources be not engaged without an assurance from the Employment Exchanges that no suitable labour was available; and, if not, will he obtain such assurances, in accordance with the resolution of the Merseyside local employment committee passed in June last?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I have been asked to answer this question. I have not asked for, nor have I received, any assurance that all the labour employed on the new Mersey Tunnel will be engaged through any specific channel, but the specification which has been submitted to me for Con tract No. 1, "Working Shafts and Headings," contains a clause which would appear to meet the hon. Member's wishes in the matter. I am sending him a copy of the clause referred to.
§ Mr. HAYESMay I ask whether the local employment committee in Liverpool as far back as June last asked for such an insurance, and that it is only in the interests of the efficient working of the Employment Exchange that applications for employment should be made to the Exchange?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThey could not give an assurance because there was no con tract asked for. This was a clause put into the tender.
§ Mr. HAYESWill the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether it is possible for the statutory committee to obtain a certificate from the local Employment Exchanges that suitable local labour is not available?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe hon. Member had better wait and see. When he reads my answer I think he will be quite satisfied.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCan the Minister say whether this scheme is likely to be begun in the present winter?
§ Mr. HOPKINSONWill my light hon. Friend assure us that, as the rest of the country is paying for this thing for the benefit of Liverpool, men out of work in other districts may also have a chance?
§ Mr. HAYESWill the Minister also bear in mind that while the National Exchequer is bearing 50 per cent. of the cost, Liverpool is bearing the remainder.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the Minister aware that if he gives this assurance, he will be imposing restrictions upon those who are trying to do their best for the unemployed of Liverpool and the surrounding districts?