§ 54. Captain Medlicottasked the Minister of Supply what prospect there is now of his being able to arrange for camouflage nets to be made by fishermen and their families, working singly or in groups, as anticipated in the invitation issued by his Department through the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation in October last?
§ Mr. BurginContracts for the making of camouflage nets have now been placed in many districts and the names of all who have applied to the Ministry with a view to assisting have been passed to the appropriate Employment Exchanges. The contractors have been asked to co-operate and to say whether they could utilise the services of additional outworkers if further orders were placed. In some districts the work has already been organised by contractors so as to employ fisherfolk, and further progress in this direction is being made daily.
§ Captain MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that the specification as at present drawn is rather complicated, and would it be possible to see whether some alternative and more simplified specifications could be adopted?
§ Mr. BurginI am willing to have it examined, but the hon. and gallant Member will realise that it is necessarily difficult. There is some difficulty because my Department orders according to a specification laid down by the War Office. At present the supplies of camouflage nets coming forward are what the Service Departments require.
§ Mr. BeechmanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction in certain villages in the West country, and will he further see that these villages are not exploited by London firms and companies offering small wages to fishermen to make nets?
§ Mr. BurginAs soon as the Service Departments required camouflage nets a broadcast was made and a nation-wide announcement that these camouflage nets were required. There was a large response to my appeal and the names of all those who responded were taken. I cannot promise to go outside those who have made offers in response to the nation's appeal until they have had a fair share of the orders to be placed.
§ Mr. BeechmanWould my right hon. Friend answer my question with regard to exploitation?
§ Mr. BurginThat is a matter which can be dealt with only when there is proof that something is wrong and it has been brought to my notice.
§ Mr. BeechmanIf I produce details of such a case will the right hon. Gentleman give them his attention?
§ Mr. Burginindicated assent.