HC Deb 06 August 1942 vol 382 cc1175-6
43. Mr. Lipson

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a statement from the Gloucestershire Emergency Committee, which has been sent to him, describing the effect on the rescue service of the transference from their present employers of building operatives; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. H. Morrison

Yes, Sir. I have read the statement sent to me by my hon. Friend. In reply to the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 23rd July to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins).

Mr. Lipson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he takes away these men, who alone can do this work, it will be impossible to replace them by volunteers and that, therefore, his reply does not meet the position?

Mr. Morrison

I am not sure about that. I think that my hon. Friend is assuming that only building trade workers can do rescue work, but we have trained many others for rescue work and they have become quite efficient.