HC Deb 02 February 1938 vol 331 cc226-7
38. Mr. Jenkins

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will arrange for a provision to be inserted in the contract for the construction of the shell-filling factory near Usk, Monmouth-shire, that the men to be employed shall be recruited at the Employment Exchanges nearest to the site of the works?

Mr. Cross (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)

I have been asked to reply. It is not practicable to insist that the contractor shall be debarred from engaging labour otherwise than through the Employment Exchange system. It will be a condition of the contract, however, that the contractor shall notify to the appropriate Employment Exchange all vacancies for labour required on the works, with the object of affording an opportunity of employment to any suitably qualified men available in the surrounding district.

Mr. Jenkins

Is it possible to insert into the terms of the contract that local labour only shall be employed, and may I add that there are 5,000 unemployed workers in this area?

Mr. Cross

I think the answer which I have given meets the hon. Gentleman on that point.

Mr. Jenkins

Is it not a fact in works of a similar kind in South Wales that while the labour employed has been drawn from local Employment Exchanges, people outside have oftentimes been brought m, registered at the local exchange and then employed on the works, excluding local labour?

Mr. Cross

I will convey the question to my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Grenfell

Will he also convey to his right hon. Friend that there is very great inconvenience in bringing people to rural areas where there is no lodging accommodation, while people living in the areas cannot get employment?

Mr. Cross

Certainly.