HC Deb 20 November 1945 vol 416 cc217-8
35. Lieut-Colonel Byers

asked the Minister of Labour what groups of building operatives in the Army, Navy and R.A.F., respectively, have been released under block arrangements in Class B up to the last convenient date.

Mr. Isaacs

Information is not available as to the age and service groups from which building operatives have been released in Class B. The groups to which it is necessary to make offers of release in order to secure the required numbers vary widely according to the precise occupation concerned.

Lieut.-Colonel Byers

May I ask the Minister to say how the schemes of block releases can be administered equitably, if this information is not available; and if this information is available, will he say why it is not divulged to the House?

Mr. Isaacs

That sounds rather like the question of "Have you stopped knocking your wife about?" I gave some explanation in the Debate on Friday, which meets the situation to some extent. So far as the Army is concerned, we are combing out the various sections which industry requires for builders from Groups 38 to 68.*

Sir W. Wakefield

Is the Minister aware that there are many men in Germany in the Army engaged in rebuilding there, and why cannot these men be employed in rebuilding in this country and let the Germans do their own rebuilding?

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