§ 56. Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Supply the approximate value of orders for aeroplanes and for war material placed in the United States of America and in the British Dominions; and what steps he is taking or proposing to take, to employ workers in Great Britain who are now unemployed, on this class of work?
§ Mr. BurginI have consulted my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, and we are agreed that it would not be in the public interest to give the information sought in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I can assure the hon. Member that every endeavour is being made to utilise suitable capacity and to develop fresh capacity in the United Kingdom, and this aspect of the situation receives full consideration before orders are placed abroad.
§ Mr. McEnteeIn view of the continued increase in the number of unemployed, many of whom are competent to make these munitions, would the right hon. Gentleman not set up some kind of committee to go into the question of providing work for men who are now unemployed, before sending so much work abroad?
§ Mr. BurginI cannot accept the suggestion that there are large numbers of unemployed who can make these munitions—
§ Mr. McEnteeOh, yes, there are thousands.
§ Mr. BurginI do not think so, but through the medium of the area committees which are being set up by the Ministry in consultation with the employers and the Trades Union Congress, we have every hope of being able to bring a number of these men into productive industry.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsCan the Minister say when these committees will be functioning?
§ Mr. BurginVery shortly. Communications are taking place and the country has already been divided up. It is now a matter of getting the names of representatives of employers and employes respectively.
§ Mr. A. ReedIs it the intention to take these workers away from their home districts or of utilising services which are now being offered by firms in various parts of the country?
§ Mr. BurginThe latter proposal.