§ 44. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that many permanently appointed railway staffs in the London area are resigning their railway employment; and what steps he is taking to meet the shortage of railway staffs.
§ Mr. BarnesSince the withdrawal of the Essential Work Order about 4,000 permanently appointed railway staff in the London area have resigned their railway employment All practicable steps are taken to recruit labour locally and to find accommodation in London for staff transferred from the provinces.
§ Mr. SparksDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the loss of these highly skilled railwaymen is due, very largely, to the very poor prospects of employment on the railways and the stagnation of promotion?
§ Mr. BarnesI should not have thought that poor prospects of employment would exist on the railways in view of their proposed nationalisation.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteCould the Minister, therefore, tell the House how many of these resignations have been tendered since the Government announced their intention to nationalise?
§ Mr. BarnesIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman had listened to the reply which I gave to the Question he would know that I have just pointed out that this figure applies to resignations since the Essential Work Order was removed.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to point out to the railwaymen that they cannot have a Socialist State unless they have direction of labour?