HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1479-80
16 Mr. Lunn

asked the Minister of Labour why, in the building of a military camp near Harrogate, the local unemployed from Leeds and the surrounding area are not being given any opportunity of work, and though many applications have been made to the Leeds Employment Exchange it is stated no opportunity is to be given to the local unemployed by the contractors?

Mr. E. Brown

I think the hon. Member must be misinformed. The contractor on this site has accepted 128 carpenters and joiners and no labourers from applicants submitted by Employment Exchanges in Leeds and the surrounding. area, including Armley, Bradford, Guisely, Otley and Stanningley. From the Leeds Employment Exchange alone 74 carpenters and joiners and 97 labourers have been placed on this contract.

Mr. Lunn

Is it not a fact that much of this labour is obtained from other countries rather than from the localities, although those who are undertaking Government work are required to get as much labour as possible from the locality rather than to go to foreign countries or other parts of the Empire?

Mr. Brown

I understand that some of the large contractors who do this work have a sort of nucleus of permanent workers, men whom they employ regularly.

Mr. T. Smith

Is the Minister aware that men who have been employed at this camp are alleging that they have been sent away in order to make room for young men from Ireland?

Mr. Brown

I had a letter about one case of that kind some four or five days ago, but I am not sure that inquiries substantiated the allegation.

Mr. Smith

The Minister will recollect that I put a question to him on Tuesday about a case in which 30 men were sent back, for no other reason, so many of them alleged, than that a body of young men had arrived from Ireland?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member knows what my answer was.