HC Deb 17 December 1942 vol 385 cc2047-9
12. Mr. Butcher

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding further withdrawals of labour from the retail non-food distributive trades?

Mr. Bevin

In view of the number of women urgently required for the Services and for vital war industry, I have decided, in agreement with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and after consultation with the Central Advisory Panel for the Retail Distributive Trades (other than food and coal) that, in addition to the withdrawals which have already taken place, all women born on or after 1st January, 1907, should be withdrawn from those trades, and that in certain specified sections of the industry—a list of which I am arranging to have circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT—the withdrawal should extend to women born on or after 1st January, 1897. A limited period of retention up to six months may be granted to women whose withdrawal would result in the closing down of the business or branch of the business in which they are employed. It will be further open to an employee to represent that exceptional hardship, which may include hardship to the employer, would result from the withdrawal. Such cases will be considered by the Ministry or, on an appeal, by a Local Appeal Board in the light of decisions given by the Umpire under the National Service (Postponement Certificates) Regulations. Employees making representations on hardship grounds, will be informed that they may appeal to the local appeal board and may be accompanied to the hearing at the board by their employers.

Mr. Butcher

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he can give an assurance that sufficient labour will be left, particularly in rural areas, to enable distribution of essential goods to be carried on? Further, will he direct his officers to give special attention to the claims of one-man businesses and other small concerns?

Mr. Bevin

As I said the other day, I cannot give assurances to anybody, in the light of the present war situation. Any pledges I gave might be misinterpreted and might lead to an improper balance between the claims of one and the other. I can, however, assure the hon. Gentleman that the question will be dealt with on its merits and I think quite fairly.

Mr. Rhys Davies

In view of the importance of this subject, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has seen a Motion on the Order Paper to-day calling attention to the whole problem of manpower in the distributive trades? Can he facilitate a Debate on the subject?

Following is the list:

Sections of the Retail Distributive Trades (other than Food and Coal) from which women born on or after 1st January, 1897, will be withdrawn.