§ 2 and 3. Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will confer with the representatives of the A.E.U. and of the employers with a view to obtaining the maximum co-operation between these two bodies and his Department before he puts into practice any scheme for transferring skilled workers from war to peace work prior to the discharge of dilutees;
(2) if he is aware of the disquiet caused by the Government's announcement that dilutees will be retained in war work while skilled labour is transferred to peace production; and if he will give an assurance that all steps will be taken to prevent this transference being accompanied by unemployment of skilled workmen while dilutees remain at work.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)It the two sides of the engineering industry so desire, I should of course be glad to discuss with them the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, and indeed the A.E.U. have already seen me 322 regarding it. As regards the latter part of Question No. 3, I am very glad to give the assurance for which he asks.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that it was our Executive of the A.E.U. which asked me to raise this matter with him—hence the two Questions?