§ 76. Mr. Parkinsonasked the First Commissioner of Works the number of persons employed at the munitions works at Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire, and the number of persons recruited from the Employment Exchanges at Preston, Chorley, and Wigan, respectively?
§ The First Commissioner of Works (Sir Philip Sassoon)The number of persons employed at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Chorley, by the main building contractor and his sub-contractors on 16th February, 1938, was 6,354. At that date 2,120 persons had been recruited through the Employment Exchange service since the 1113 commencement of the work, including 251 from Preston, 785 from Chorley and 215 from Wigan.
§ 77. Mr. Parkinsonasked the First Commissioner of Works whether the contractors at the Euxton munition works have ceased advertising for labourers in the Irish Press to take jobs at these works; and whether he will issue instructions that all workers for these works in future shall be recruited from the Employment Exchanges?
§ Sir P. SassoonI am informed that the contractors for the erection of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Chorley have never advertised in the Irish Press for labour for this work. Although contractors are encouraged to make the fullest possible use of the Employment Exchange service, it would be contrary to the policy of my Department to limit their freedom to engage labour in any other manner as suggested in the second part of the question.
§ Mr. McGheeHave they stopped recruiting in Ireland for the British Army?
§ Mr. ParkinsonHow long has the opinion been held that this advertising has stopped? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I could have brought him Irish papers with the advertisements in them, and that I have brought this matter to the notice of the Ministry of Labour?
§ Sir P. SassoonPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to show me the papers.