§ 13. Sir Francis Fremantleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that essential men and women are being transferred from laundries to other ser vices, thus endangering the laundry ser vices, vital for the health and efficiency of hospital, air-raid precautions centres, nursery-schools and other accommodation of evacuees, and of the Forces and general population; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ 9. Captain Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give special consideration to the reserve of a limited number of maintenance engineers and women employés of laundries in areas where a large influx of military and civil population has put a special strain on these essential services?
§ Mr. BevinI have given instructions that workers in the laundry service who cannot be spared should not be transferred by the Employment Exchanges to other employment. Furthermore, workers in this service who seek advice as to the desirability of their taking other work will be advised to remain in their present employment unless they are surplus to requirements. I do not think it is necessary to create a special reserve for this purpose.
§ Sir F. FremantleThat being the case, will my right hon. Friend, in company with the Minister of Health, to whom I put down the Question originally, keep a watch over the position here, because it is vital to the health services, even if it does not fit in with the actual pattern of employment of the Minister of Labour?
§ Mr. BevinI will keep a close watch on it, but I am very anxious that these employers on their side shall bring the amenities in the laundries up to the standards of the Essential Work Order. There is a good deal of turnover in this industry in normal times. Therefore, I think it is essential, not merely to have people retained in the industry, but that if they are to stop there without disgruntlement, the conditions associated with them should be brought into line.