§ 39. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Labour whether mechanics and operatives are today producing the same amount of work in the same time as did men handling similar activities prewar; and, if not, what is being done to remedy this situation.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am afraid this Question is not capable of a simple answer, either in the affirmative or the negative. With regard to the second part of the Question I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the meetings last week between Ministers, trade unions and employers on the subject of production.
§ Mr. BossomCould the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that a bricklayer today lays only about half the number of bricks he laid prewar? Is anything being done to try to encourage them?
§ Mr. IsaacsI do not know whether it has anything to do with hens not laying so many eggs because they are not getting so much food.
Major LloydWould the right hon. Gentleman consider inviting the B.B.C. to broadcast to the nation the method which the Russian nation adopts to produce greater production from the workers?
§ 45. Mr. Boothbyasked the Prime Minister, whether he will call a conference of representatives of the employers organisations and of the trade unions to discuss with His Majesty's Government the possibilities of increasing the industrial output of this country.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)At meetings last week which were addressed by myself and other Ministers, the Government discussed with representatives of employers' organisations and of the trade unions the present situation and the need for maximum production.
§ Mr. BoothbyWould the Prime Minister consider holding a conference in the near future at which representatives both of the employers and of the trade unions could meet together under the auspices of His Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are going to be meetings in the various provincial centres.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteWill the Prime Minister issue to hon. Members a statement showing the results of these discussions, in view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Labour has called our attention to them and we are quite unaware of what took place?
§ The Prime MinisterNo report is being issued as far as I know.
§ 46. Mr. S. Shephardasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to publicise the need for increased production by posters on hoardings and in factories and workshops.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. As part of the publicity in connection with the Prosperity Campaign, it is proposed to use posters in both these ways.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the Prime Minister, together with the Minister of Labour, consider making an appeal to employers and employees on the news-reels?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is under consideration. We are also looking into the possibilities of the radio.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the Prime Minister avoid posters of the type issued after the last war, which were the object of derision on the part of most of the workers, and will he consider that posters promising higher wages and limitation of profits would do the trick?
§ Mr. SnaddenDid the right hon. Gentleman say" austerity or "prosperity ''? We could not hear him on this side.