HC Deb 16 October 1945 vol 414 cc903-4
12. Mr. Tom Smith

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that sufficient labour will be available to coal merchants and depots to ensure an equitable distribution of coal for domestic consumption during the coming winter.

Mr. Isaacs

It will be difficult to supply sufficient civilian labour for coal distribution this winter, but my Department is examining, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, the possibility of supplementing the civilian labour force with prisoners-of-war labour and members of the Forces.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the possibility of getting back some of the road haulage contractors who specialise in this kind of work from the Forces, instead of relying so much on prisoners of war?

Mr. Isaacs

The trouble is that there always seem to be some arguments for some special class to I have special preference for release from the Forces, and any attempt to deal with the matter in that way, makes another inroad into the age and service demobilisation scheme.

Mr. Driberg

Will the Minister bear specially in mind the needs of rural areas where neither gas nor electricity is laid on?

Mr. Isaacs

Certainly.

Mr. Murray

Will he also bear in mind that many employment exchanges to-day have men signing on who could very well do this particular work rather than prisoners of war?

Mr. Isaacs

If the unemployed men were in the locality where the labour shortage on this kind of job arises, we should be very glad to use them, but they are not always in the same locality.