HC Deb 23 June 1938 vol 337 cc1240-1
14. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction at the methods by which labour is recruited by contractors engaged in Government work in South Wales; and whether he will take steps to secure the insertion in future contracts of a clause making it obligatory upon all contractors for His Majesty's Government to recruit the labour required through the medium of the Employment Exchanges?

Mr. E. Brown

I have considered the representations which the hon. Member has himself made to me on this subject, but there are considerable practical difficulties in the way of adopting his suggestion precisely in this form. In Government contracts from 1st January last, however, it has been made a contractual obligation for the contractor to notify vacancies to the exchanges, whereas previously this was only a recommendation.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the Minister not aware that to ask the contractors merely to notify the exchanges is not a sufficient guarantee, and is it not reasonable to ask that in view of the money spent by this House in areas like South Wales the contractors should be obliged to use the machinery of the Employment Exchanges to recruit all their labour?

Mr. Brown

The vacancies cannot always be filled from the exchanges locally, but we do everything we can to see that preference is given to local men.

Mr. Griffiths

Could not a provision be inserted in the contracts that where suitable labour is available locally the contractor must use the local exchanges?

Mr. Brown

No, there has been considerable trouble in getting as far as we have got on this matter, and I must see how the system works out.

Mr. Lawson

Is it not the Minister's experience that half of the contractors, if given a chance, will dodge their obligations?

Mr. Brown

I would not like to make a statement like that in general terms.

Mr. Jenkins

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the Government contractors have in their employment a number of men who go from job to job and place to place, and get registered on the local exchanges?

Mr. Brown

As the House knows, there are two sides to this question. There is the question of labour being engaged locally, but there is also the question in some cases of the work being done as speedily as possible.

Mr. J. Griffiths

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.