§ 4. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a communication from the Midland Council of the National Union of Manufacturers submitting reasons for the making of an order under the Control of Employment Act, with particular reference to the metal-making and metal-using industries; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the statement embodied in that letter on the disturbing conditions which now obtain affecting employment in those industries?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware of the problems of labour supply now confronting the engineering and allied industries both in the Midlands and elsewhere, and I am engaged in discussing these problems with the representatives of employers and workpeople.
§ Sir P. HannonWill my right hon. Friend say what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to putting into effect the provisions of this Act?
§ Mr. BrownI have to carry out the explicit instructions of the Act. The Act provides that before the Minister makes an order he has to set up an advisory committee of employers and trade unions to advise him whether it is desirable to take action in a particular industry.