HC Deb 09 October 1941 vol 374 cc1110-1
39. Sir T. Moore

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state what inquiries are made into the character and antecedents of men employed in demolition work?

Mr. H. Morrison

As stated in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on both September, it was not considered necessary to make special inquiries before recruiting men for demolition work in London.

Sir T. Moore

In view of the many cases of theft that have recently come before the courts and the strong views expressed by the Chief Magistrate on the subject, does not my right hon. Friend think that some inquiry should be made by the Employment Exchange before these men are taken on?

Mr. Morrison

In view of the importance of getting this work done, I am afraid that it would be most unwise and injudicious to try and make inquiries into the character of the large number of labouring men who are involved. On the other hand, it is not wise to exaggerate the degree of these thefts.

Sir Percy Harris

Is my right hon. Friend conscious of the fact that this work has been done magnificently and with great speed in the last few months, and should not the men, who, as a whole, are a decent lot of workers, get the credit for it?

62. Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the strictures recently passed upon the personnel of the demolition service, of which copies have been forwarded to him; and whether, in the interests of the members of this service, he will have inquiry made as to the justification for the allegations?

Mr. H. Morrison

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 10th September.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

At a time when careless talk is so much deprecated, cannot something be done to prevent magistrates making such remarks as that they are beginning to wonder whether there is an honest demolition worker?

Mr. H. Morrison

On certain occasions magistrates let their eloquence get the better of their discretion.

Mr. Silverman

So do Ministers.