§ 1. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Minister of Labour whether he realises that the absence of any provision for probationary training by certain trade unions, details of which have been supplied to him, prevents the employment of part-time and spare-time workers; and what steps he is taking to obviate this waste of national effort?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)I have written to my hon. Friend. According to my information the difficulty in the case to which he drew my attention was not due to the absence of provision for probationary training.
§ Mr. HammersleyIn view of the fact that for some considerable time 30 part-time workers have been engaged in manufacturing essential munitions of war and that because of the difficulties in arranging the correct rate of pay this part-time work has had to be stopped, is it not wrong that this state of affairs should continue? Should not something be done to make arrangements for this part-time work?
§ Mr. BevinThat point is not in my hon. Friend's Question. He asked me whether it was due to the absence of probationary training. I know the difficulties, about which I have written him, but they are not due to the cause mentioned in the Question.
§ Mr. HammersleyI must give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise this matter at the earliest opportunity