§ 23. Mr. George Porterasked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the good work done by the appointment of labour supply inspectors during the war, it is the intention of his Ministry to continue their employment as a definite section of normal administration.
§ 37. Mr. Medlandasked the Minister of Labour if it is proposed to incorporate the Labour Supply Inspectorate into the permanent structure of his Ministry; to what extent the discharge of these technical officers is left in the hands of regional controllers without consultation with the representatives of these men; and if he is aware that 46 inspectors have already taken appointments in industry owing to the uncertainty of their position.
§ Mr. IsaacsLabour supply inspectors made a valuable contribution to the wartime mobilisation of labour and discussions are now taking place on the nature and extent of the duties they could usefully undertake in the post-war period. The general question of discharge on redundancy of labour supply inspectors has been discussed nationally with the representative association, and an order of discharge agreed. A fall in the volume of work has made it necessary to terminate the appointments of a few inspectors and notices have been issued by Regional Controllers on the basis of the agreement reached. I am aware that inspectors resign from time to time, but the rate of resignation has shown no marked increase over recent months.
§ Mr. PorterAm I entitled to assume that apart from those who are being discharged or have left the job, there is some reason for those who are left to feel that they are assured of a job in the future?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is a reasonable assumption.
§ Major Guy LloydWhat percentage of these labour supply inspectors are ex-officials of trade unions?
§ Mr. IsaacsI cannot say without notice, but that would not make them any the worse for their job.