§ 10. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at the R.A.F. station at Lasham, Hampshire, there is so little for the workshop personnel to do that skilled tradesmen are working on the average only 48 hours in each month and often not more than one hour per day; and whether, in view of the manpower position, he will take steps to remedy this.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI should be grateful for any detailed information about unemployment at Lasham Station which the hon. and gallant Member can let me have. My information is that in November the working hours were approximately 184. in December 150, and in January 200. It is, however, true that, owing to transport difficulties, some men have during the last few weeks, been employed outside their trades.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my information, which was derived from a non-commissioned officer in those workshops, is exactly as I have indicated in the Question? The men have little to do and very often they are employed on work which is practically manufacturing and has nothing to do with their trade.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAs I have said, some are working outside their trades. The work in this station is largely repairing crashed aircraft, and in the last few weeks it has not been possible to bring in a good many of the crashes.