HC Deb 29 October 1946 vol 428 cc432-4
10. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that operatives are leaving the employ of the building contractors and joining the new Mobile Labour Force in order to obtain the more favourable conditions of guaranteed time at 44 hours per week; and if he intends to relax any of the present provisions of Defence Regulation 56AB in order to allow contractors to compete with his Department in recruiting labour.

Mr. Tomlinson

Apart from unemployed persons who are found to be suitable for the vacancies, men already in employment are only considered for engagement in the Mobile Labour Force after full regard to the work on which they are employed. Men on priority work are not accepted until its termination, and only then if local demands for priority work are satisfied. The terms and conditions under which the Mobile Labour Force is employed were settled after consultation with representatives of the Building Industry and having regard to the special circumstances of the employment. There is no question of relaxing Defence Regulation 56AB which is intended to secure observance of the agreed working rules of the industry where they apply.

Mr. Marples

Is the Minister aware that many private employers wish to pay the men more but if they did so they would lose their building licences under 56 AB? Can he give any possible justification for the only two exceptions to the rule that more should not be paid being his own Department and the London Co-operative Building Society?

Mr. Tomlinson

Under the same conditions under which the men are engaged for the Mobile Labour Force, any other employer would be able to do the same.

Mr. Sparks

What is now the strength of the Mobile Labour Force?

Mr. Tomlinson

About 4,800.

Mr. George Porter

Does the Minister agree that there is no reason why the ordinary employers in industry could not offer the same conditions to their workmen as are offered by his Department if they got down to proper organisation in industry?

Mr. Tomlinson

The same conditions will apply.

Mr. Marples

May I take it from the right hon. Gentleman that if any private employer can guarantee a 44 hours week as in his own Department, he is being—

Mr. Tomlinson

No. What the hon. Member can take from the Minister is that if the conditions which are applied to the Mobile Labour Force are applied with regard to a private employer, the private employer will be in exactly the same position.