§ 17. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulties created by the fact that, while advertisements for workers in connection with munitions are not permitted to be published in the Press, yet advertisements for workers on work other than munitions are so permitted thereby prejudicing important war work; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BevinThe position at present is that engagements of workers in the general engineering, the building and the civil engineering industries must be made through the employment exchanges or through approved arrangements with trade unions. It follows that employers in those industries cannot advertise for workers. The hon. Member will be aware from what I said in the Debate on 21st January of my proposals for securing the diversion of labour from unessential to essential work as required and I do not think that, at any rate at this stage, the prohibition of all advertisements for workers of all kinds would materially assist in this object.
§ Mr. ManderDoes not my right hon. Friend realise that there is a serious gap here which requires to be filled up in some manner; and will he be good enough to devote his mind to filling it up?