§ 7. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed his inquiries into the shortage of labour for coal and coke distribution in Cheltenham; and will he indicate the steps he is taking to remedy the deficiency?
§ Mr. BevinMy hon. Friend has sent me particulars of a firm which has complained that a worker recently left its employment I understand that the worker concerned left because he was dissatisfied with his wages, which averaged just over £2 a week, and while the local Employment Exchange is endeavouring to fill the vacancy the terms are not such as to enable a worker to be transferred from elsewhere in order to fill it. The total demands for labour from coal merchants in Cheltenham are for four carters, two drivers' mates and one labourer and the necessary action is being taken to meet the demands as soon as possible, having regard to other urgent demands in the neighbourhood.