HC Deb 04 July 1944 vol 401 cc979-80
1. Mr. Sloan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to ask for the release of the building trade workers at Stranraer now engaged in the defence service.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)

As I indicated in reply to the hon. Member's previous Question on 14th June, the building workers referred to are available for temporary release for essential local building work. Immediately the Ministry of Labour intimate that they are unable from their other resources to meet essential building trade requirements in the Stranraer area, arrangements will be made for the granting of the necessary temporary releases in accordance with the provisions of the scheme agreed with the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. Sloan

Am I to understand from the answer that these 28 building trade workers are to be incarcerated in Stranraer unless they are required for local building operations? Cannot they be used elsewhere?

Mr. Johnston

I cannot, for security reasons, discuss why the National Fire Service remains at that strength, but I agree with the hon. Member that it is highly desirable that building trade workers who are in the Fire Service should be granted temporary release in any area where their services can be used for house building.

Mr. Sloan

Surely it is unnecessary today to have skilled building trade operatives as members of the Fire Service? Could not the right hon. Gentleman now see that their places are filled with men of less skill?

Mr. Johnston

Again for security reasons, I cannot give an affirmative answer.

Mr. Kirkwood

Would the Secretary of State consider the advisability of releasing men of this description all over Scotland and bringing them back into the building industry?

Mr. Johnston

The purpose of the scheme which I negotiated with the Ministry of Labour was that they would be temporarily released in any case where the local building pool of labour was insufficient.

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