§ 17. Mr. Dunnasked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied, in view of the man-power situation in the building and civil engineering industries, that the control over the disposition of labour is adequate to ensure the best and most economical use in the national interest?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe Ministry of Works and Buildings and my Department are at present actively engaged in strengthening the arrangements for control of labour in these industries, and it is hoped to make an Order very shortly under which (i) the transfer of workers by contractors from one contract to another will be made subject to the consent of a National Service Officer, (ii) employers will be required to notify the National Service Officer of all terminations of employment and (iii) workers on leaving employment will be required to report at an Employment Exchange. These steps are designed to ensure that labour in these industries will be moved only to essential work and will be utilised to the best advantage and with the utmost economy in relation to the national need.