§ 18. Mr. Isaacsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of persons, male and female, who have been transferred from the printing industry to munitions up to the latest most convenient date?
§ Mr. BevinUp to the end of July last, 1,562 printing trade operatives were placed in other employment, mainly in engineering under a special scheme sponsored by the Joint Industrial Council of the Printing and Allied Trades for the transfer of available printing trade workers to munitions work. Later figures have not been collected, but I understand that the scheme is continuing to make satisfactory progress in most districts. My officers are in close touch with the Joint Industrial Council in regard to any difficulties which may arise.
§ Mr. ManderDoes not this transfer account for the fact that we are not able to get the OFFICIAL REPORT printed so that it is available for Members the next day?
§ Mr. BevinIt may be that bullets to kill Germans are even more important than the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat does my right hon. Friend mean by that statement? May I ask him whether he thinks that because he has become a member of the Government we need not trouble about our democratic institutions?