§ 10. Mr. Simmondsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the men and women whom it is proposed to withdraw from industry for service with the Forces can safely be so withdrawn without detriment to war production?
§ Mr. BevinSince the total supply of man-power is limited, a balance has to be struck between the different requirements and the proposals are designed to make the best use of man-power as a whole, after consultation with all the Departments concerned.
§ Mr. SimmondsIs the Minister aware that there appears to be a necessity for a common policy between his own Department and the Supply Departments? Is he not aware of the growing tendency, which is highly dangerous, to suggest that in 1943 production must be secondary in the war effort?
§ Mr. BevinNo, the Production and the Fighting Services have to march in step. I have no doubt that increased production in one direction must mean a cutting down in another direction.
§ Mr. SimmondsWill the Minister give an undertaking to the House that where the Supply Departments insist on the importance of particular work, men and women will not be taken away before adequate substitutes can be proposed by his Department?
§ Mr. BevinNo, I am not prepared to give that undertaking. My fight is a constant one against all the Departments and the Fighting Services and, if I may say so, against a large number of managements, to make them use labour more efficiently and more economically.
§ Sir R. AclandDoes the Minister take any interest in cases where the withdrawal of a negligible number of men is making a slashing reduction in output?
§ Mr. BevinI do not think that withdrawals have affected output. When the Debate takes place figures will show that output has gone up. I cannot afford at this stage in the war to have any wastage of labour at all.