HC Deb 20 November 1945 vol 416 cc218-9
38. Mr. Harold Sutcliffe

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the delay, of two to five months, in obtaining a new pair of spectacles; and if, in view of the loss of production efficiency on this account, he will consider the release under Class B of skilled men for the workshops.

Mr. Isaacs

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 12th November, a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the second part of the Question, I have every hope that the position will improve with demobilisation and releases from munition production and I do not consider that I should be justified in extending Class B releases in the manner suggested.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the average age of a workshop employee in this industry before the war was only 25, and, therefore, their demobilisation in the ordinary way is a long way off?

Forward to