HC Deb 28 May 1946 vol 423 cc966-7
20. Mr. William Foster

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the need for additional labour for brickworks, which are often in remote areas, he has considered the desirability of providing transport in cases where men are available but are unable to take employment because of the lack of transport facilities.

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir. As an emergency measure to meet special cases of difficulty in recruiting labour due to lack of transport, a scheme has been agreed whereby daily transport will be provided for groups of men who would have to travel long distances to brickworks. Employees participating in such a scheme will pay 6d. per day and my Department will reimburse to employers the expenses of the main journey in excess of this amount. A supplementary estimate to cover this expenditure will be presented in due course, but in view of the urgency to which my hon. Friend refers, the scheme is being brought into operation at once and will be financed in the meantime by advances from the Civil Contingencies Fund.