§ 8. Mr. Geoffrey Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the local authority in Ilford and elsewhere in London in the collection of house refuse due 1954 to the shortage of staff; and what measures it is proposed to take to ensure that the local authorities are able to obtain the necessary labour to carry out refuse collection at reasonable intervals.
§ Mr. BevinAs my hon. Friend knows, I am fully aware of the position. In consultation with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Health, Works and Home Security, steps are being taken to overcome the difficulties.
§ Mr. HutchinsonIs my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that in certain parts of London collections are taking place only once in a period of five weeks? In view of those circumstances will he give the House an assurance that steps will be taken to expedite this as far as possible?
§ Mr. BevinYes, Sir, but it is not entirely in my hands. I can supply the labour but the difficulty has been that it is rather in water-tight compartments. I have met the local authorities and asked them, when they are short, to arrange with the other Departments to transfer men from, say, debris clearance, or some other work to help out with this work and they are getting on with that, I understand, very fast.
§ Mr. HutchinsonIs it not the case that there have been many instances where transfers of that nature have not proved satisfactory? Will my right hon. Friend not take immediate steps to ensure that the necessary labour force is available for this vital work in those boroughs where it has not been possible to get men from other departments?
§ Mr. BevinI must say that labour is in short supply, and it is the obvious duty of local authorities and other authorities to combine together to use the labour to the fullest advantage and not keep men standing about because they happen to be under one control when they are needed by the other control.