HC Deb 27 January 1944 vol 396 c832
7. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the lack of organisation in Manchester for the reception of mining conscripts under which a party of 20 boys were not allotted billets for 36 hours after their arrival; and what steps he has taken.

Mr. Bevin

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to a group of men from the Isle of Wight and other places in the South of England who arrived at an outlying railway station in the late evening of 19th January on their way to a coal-mining training centre in the neighbourhood of Manchester. Owing to the difficulties of transport and of black-out conditions it was impracticable to take them that night to the lodgings which had been found for them as these were scattered over a wide area. Instead, they were found emergency accommodation with food in the immediate neighbourhood. All were settled in their permanent lodgings by 2.30 on the following day.

Sir A. Knox

Is it not possible to make arrangements in time so that these boys may not be exposed to this discomfort?

Mr. Bevin

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend not to make "-Cissies" of these boys.