§ 1. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the U.S.A. has doubled its exports during a recent period whilst our own have declined by 75 per cent., he intends to consider before the war in Europe ends the man-power position, more especially in relation to our export industries, so that the percentage of persons mobilised for the Fighting Services to the total population shall not be higher in Great Britain than in the U.S.A.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)The man-power position in this country is under constant review in the light of all the changing factors of the war situation, but I should deprecate strongly any attempt to estimate the relative contributions of ourselves and our Allies to the war effort on the basis of simple arithmetic.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWhy should the right hon. Gentleman deprecate comparisons between this country and America? Will he not consider whether he is not, by carrying on this process, bleeding our nation white beyond recovery?
§ Mr. BevinI am carrying out the decisions of this House and the decision of the Government to bring this war to a successful conclusion. I do not accept the view of my hon. Friend that we should lose it.
Mr. Graham WhiteIs there any reason to believe that each of the United Nations is not doing its best?
§ Mr. BevinWe have worked in a spirit of co-operation, each trying to play the role allotted to it. The unity that has existed among the United Nations is unprecedented.