HC Deb 08 April 1937 vol 322 cc322-3
7. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour the number of non-tuberculous men who have been trained at Government training centres and are at present in the Papworth workshops, Cambridgeshire, and the wages paid to these men; and particulars of the commodities produced at this establishment?

Mr. E. Brown

Twelve men from Government training centres are at present employed in the Papworth workshops of whom eight are, I understand, paid 1s. 3d. per hour, and four 1s. per hour. I am informed that in addition to carrying out building work in the village settlement, the Papworth industries produce chiefly portable buildings, furniture, leather and fibre travelling goods, and printing.

Mr. Day

Have the medical officers of his Department advised the right hon. Gentleman as to whether these men working alongside infected men run any risk of infection?

Mr. Brown

We recently had a Debate on this matter, and I will send the hon. Member a copy of it.

Mr. Rowson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as a result of that Debate many medical men in the country were astonished at the Ministry's attitude on the matter?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware of anything of the kind. I think the exact opposite is the case.