HC Deb 01 February 1945 vol 407 cc1597-9
4. Mr. Ralph Etherton

asked the Minister of Labour why, in his original L.S. Memorandum No. 8, it was stated that generally speaking it had been found possible to get more inside information from the Drawing Office Committee than from any other source; why the phrasing has now been changed to the words "valuable information"; and why the inspectors were invited to obtain information about the firm's plans regarding postwar reconstruction.

Mr. Bevin

This was a statement of what inspectors had, in fact, found to be the case. In its original form, it was thought to be open to misconception, and it was accordingly modified to convey what was intended in a way which would not be misconstrued. With regard to the last part of the Question, a firm's intentions as to post-war reconstruction may have an important bearing on the present use being made of draughtsmen. It was felt, however, that this question could for the time being be deleted and it was removed early in 1944.

Mr. Etherton

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the type of inspection which this instruction advocates will not be put into operation in respect of any other inspections, and that this type of inspection will not, in fact, be carried out in its origanal form?

Mr. Bevin

I could not say that. It will be carried out in a modified form, but, as I have indicated, draughtsmen present a very great difficulty at the present moment owing to the enormous claims being made upon them. I cannot give an undertaking that I shall not need to have a similar form of inspection for other grades, if I am to get private industry restarted and labour redistributed.

Mr. Etherton

But does not my right hon. Friend realise that what is advocated here is going behind the backs of the management to try to get hold of information from the staffs about the type of work they are doing?

Mr. Bevin

I disagree with that entirely. A man is a free agent and we have to interview a man to find out his ability, apart from the employer. The man is not the property of the employer yet.

5. Mr. Robertson

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention under L.S. Memorandum No. 8 that officials should carry out investigations independent of the management, in view of the fact that such methods are conducive to bad relationship and inefficiency.

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir. It is stated in several places in the memorandum to which the hon. Member refers, that the investigations are to be carried out in the closest consultation with the management.

Mr. Robertson

Having regard to the very great success which has attended the efforts of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to get men for the needs of the country at the present time, may I appeal to him to have this memorandum withdrawn, because it can only cause bad feeling and bad blood?

Mr. Bevin

No, it has not caused bad feeling or bad blood. When you have to get certain special types of men, you have to make special investigations. The real trouble is that the training of draughtsmen was so neglected between the two wars that we started this war with only 14,000 for the whole country.

Mr. Robertson

Why were so many draughtsmen called up for the Forces, and why were the women who took their places also called up?

Mr. Bevin

The draughtsmen were called up in their trades for the purpose of modifying implements of war.