HC Deb 12 February 1942 vol 377 c1556
6. Mr. Marcus Samuel

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the successful results of the Humm-Wadsworth tests, as practised at the Lockheed and other plants in the United States of America, with a view to examining the workers for their particular vocational and temperamental aptitudes, particulars of which have been sent to him; and whether he will take steps to build up a similar system here?

Mr. Bevin

In the particulars which my hon. Friend was good enough to send me this system is described as a test of temperament, and I gather that the first of the questions which it puts to candidates for employment is, "Do you prefer bright or conservative colours?" I am advised that the development of temperamental tests in this country is still at an experimental stage and that I should not be justified in urging the adoption of such tests at the present time.

Mr. George Griffiths

Is it the case that the hon. Member who has put the Question prefers blue to any other colour?

Mr. Samuel

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for making a joke of my Question, might I ask whether he is aware that the Lockheed works have found these tests most successful and that the United States Government is not a particularly conservative Government?