§ 8. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether the calling-up of more 1046 of the personnel in food shops will mean the closing of any such shops, co-operative stores or private enterprise; what authority it is that decides who is a pivotal worker; what number of registered customers a shop must possess to warrant it not being closed by the call-up; and whether he has taken into consideration the fact that if a branch shop is closed by this process the trade of that shop can be transferred to other establishments of the same firm whilst this cannot be the case in the one-man business or the small co-operative stores?
§ Mr. TomlinsonUnder the arrangements which my right hon. Friend has made in agreement with my noble Friend the Minister of Food, the further withdrawal of personnel from food shops will be so regulated as not to compel such shops to close down for this reason. The other parts of the Question, which deal with the closing down of food shops, therefore, do not arise. Pivotal workers in food shops are identified by the District Man-Power Board in consultation with the Divisonal Food Officer.
§ Mr. DaviesIs my hon. Friend accurate in saying that no small food shops are being closed owing to the calling up of people employed in them? If I give him some instances will he look into them? When is the Ministry of Labour going to stop this ferocious combing-out of men and women employed in the distributive trades?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI did not say that shops had not closed, but we will certainly look into any cases where it is alleged that shops are being closed because of calling up. What I said was that instructions had been given that people should not be called up where it would lead to the closing of food shops. There may be a dispute as to whether or not an individual is a pivotal worker.
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply and the great importance of this issue, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.