HC Deb 23 March 1944 vol 398 cc1019-20
16. Mr. Burke

asked the Minister of Labour how many school-leavers entered the spinning and weaving sections, respectively, of the cotton industry during January and February, 1944.

Mr. Bevin

Figures relating specifically to school-leavers are not available. Of those juveniles aged 14 and 15 years, however, whose first insurable employment began during those two months, approximately 620 took up employment in the preparing and spinning section of the cotton industry, and approximately 450 in the weaving section.

Mr. Burke

Will those figures meet the need of the employers for labour?

Mr. Bevin

I should not think so.