HC Deb 30 June 1938 vol 337 cc2089-90
1. Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour whether lie is aware that labour is being imported from Ireland for employment at Government works in South Wales; and what does he propose to do to stop this breach of his undertaking that local labour shall be engaged?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

My inquiries show that, apart from 18 skilled men brought forward from Northern Ireland to make good a shortage of such workers, labour is not being imported from Ireland for employment at Government works in South Wales. A few men have come on their own initiative and have obtained employment direct with the contractors but, in the main, the labour employed consists of men engaged, either locally or from neighbouring areas, through the employment exchanges.

Mr. Williams

Does not the Minister think that persons in the locality should have a preference, when there is such a large volume of unemployment there?

Mr. Brown

I am assured that that is mainly the case.

Mr. A. Jenkins

Will the Minister give an undertaking that where suitable labour is available locally, he will direct that only local labour should be employed?

Mr. Brown

I cannot give such an undertaking for reasons which I have already explained to the House, on more than one occasion.

Mr. E. J. Williams

Surely this is a breach of the undertaking which we have had from the Minister on many occasions, that local labour would be employed?

Mr. Brown

No; that is not an accurate statement of the case. The only undertaking I have given is that vacancies notified to the Bridgend Employment Exchange will be brought to the notice of suitable qualified men in the locality or in neighbouring areas.

Mr. R. J. Taylor

Does the Minister think it right that labour should be imported into an area where there is so much unemployment?

Mr. Brown

I have already answered that question.