HC Deb 18 May 1939 vol 347 cc1593-4
20. Mr. A. Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to the difficult situation that has arisen in Newport, Monmouthshire, as a consequence of the instructions issued to local offices to the effect that only persons between the ages of 18 and 30 are to be recruited for air-raid precautions work; whether he has considered the communication from the Newport Air-Raid Precautions Organising Committee on this subject; and what steps he proposes to take to remove the difficulties existing in that town, and the damage that is being done to the organising of air-raid precautions activities?

Mr. E. Brown

The instructions which have been issued by my Department relate to the recruitment of men for certain constructional work in connection with the making of trenches and the erection of shelters. The purpose of the instruction was to secure, in accordance with representations that have been made to me continuously in this House and elsewhere, that in the performance of this work a preference was to be given, as between applicants who are otherwise equally suitable for the work, to those who have been longest unemployed, and particularly to the long-term unemployed in the younger age groups, for whom a spell of regular work would be especially valuable. With regard to the suggestion made by the Newport Air-Raid Precautions Organising Committee that this work should be given to A.R.P. volunteers, the hon. Member will appreciate, from what I have just said, that the instruction does not prevent the employment of unemployed A.R.P. volunteers upon the work. As regards this matter generally, I would add that it would be my desire that the instructions, which are elastic in their nature, should be applied in each area with due regard to local circumstances.

Mr. Jenkins

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a communication on the lines of this question from the Air-Raid Precautions Committee; and, if he has, has he replied to it in the terms of his present answer?

Mr. Brown

I am not sure that I have had a direct communication, but I have been informed about the matter. I will look into it and let the hon. Member know.

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