§ 52. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that about 1,000 foreign workers engaged on important food production need beds, as correspondence sent to him indicates: and if he will take steps immediately to procure from the, Office of Works some of the thousands of bedsteads now rusting on the Kelstern Aerodrome in Lincolnshire.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. Member seems to have been misled by the letter he referred to me. I have no information that the firm in question has sought to employ any foreign workers. The question of the provision of sleeping accommodation for such workers does not therefore arise at present. As regards the disposal of the bedsteads, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works that they are already earmarked.
§ Mr. OsborneSince I have sent the correspondence to the Minister I cannot check his statement, but it seemed clear to me that in the letter the firm said that the beds were required for these foreign workers. Would the right hon. Gentleman see that they are supplied from this great dump?
§ Mr. IsaacsI am not blaming the hon. Gentleman for being misled. I think the terms of the letter misled him. This firm said they wanted 1,000 beds for 1,000 workers engaged on producing food. They have not asked for a solitary worker. Any foreign workers in that area who are waiting to go to work have all got beds.