6. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Labour whether he is arranging for the appropriate categories of men to be released to assist in the immediate designing, preparation and manufacture of motor-cars, in order that this industry may be in a position to absorb the large numbers of demobilised men required to compete adequately in the world's markets.
§ Mr. BevinArrangements have been made, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Production, and my other colleagues concerned, for labour which is not required or available for vital war work to be used for important civilian production or services.
Miss WardAre those plans in fact now operated by the Government, or are they for the distant future?
§ Captain StricklandWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in the motor industry it takes a long time to produce a car which is being designed, and will he allow priorities for that class of industry?
§ Mr. BevinI would like to utter a warning, in view of this clamour for the release of men. The Government cannot take any step which will weaken the military forces with which to prosecute the war.