HC Deb 14 October 1943 vol 392 cc1030-1
13. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Minister of Labour the number of young women directed to employment from Scotland to English workshops who left Glasgow by train on Monday night, 3oth August; and how many left on Wednesday night, 1st September?

Mr. Bevin

The total numbers of women travelling to employment in England from Glasgow were 107 on 3oth August and 94 on 1st September. Not all of them were in receipt of writtten directions.

Mr. Maclean

Did the officials of the Ministry inform those girls before they were sent down there that they had a right of appeal?

Mr. Bevin

The officials have instructions to inform everybody about that, and if my hon. Friend has any evidence that these girls were not informed, I will look into it.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not the case that in a number of instances that information has not been given to the girls?

Mr. Bevin

If the hon. Member will give me instances, I will look into them.

14. Mr. Maclean

asked the Minister of Labour the number of occasions on which girls from Scotland were sent to factories in England and found no work to start on, or no arrangements made for billeting, and had to return to Scotland?

Mr. Bevin

I am not aware of any such cases, but if my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind and will let me have details, I shall be glad to have them investigated.

Mr. Stephen

Is the Minister aware that in the Debate on man-power I gave him a particular instance where one girl was prosecuted for going back to Scotland, and may I ask whether in that case she has now to go back to England again?

21. Mr. Maclean

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that when a factory in Renfrewshire stopped working a shift a large number of girls received their notice of dismissal, officials from the Labour Ministry interviewed the girls in the factory, and travelling warrants and the necessary papers to go to English factories were already made out for and handed to them; how many girls were sent; and whether they were told they had the right to appeal against the direction?

Mr. Bevin

If my hon. Friend will give me the name of the factory, I will have inquiries made and communicate with him.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

Will my right hon. Friend do his best to impress upon the Supply Departments to place contracts in Scotland, because that would avoid incidents of this nature?