HC Deb 08 June 1939 vol 348 cc573-4
19. Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange that in all Government contracts labour shall be engaged through Employment Exchanges?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I regret that I am not in a position to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. Pilkington) on nth May last.

Mr. Williams

The Minister will know from correspondence I have had with him that there is trouble in Bridgend at the moment over this matter. The contractors are engaging men directly rather than from the Employment Exchange, when there are a large number of local persons available.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

The hon. Member is not asking a question.

Mr. Williams

I wish to ask the Minister whether he is attending to the suggestion which is made to him in the question?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The question of whether or not the obligation is to be extended, as I have said this afternoon, is under very active consideration.

Mr. Pilkington

Is my hon. Friend aware that this matter has been under the active consideration of the Government for a very long time?