§ 2. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilians are employed on aerodromes; if he is aware that wages for unskilled men so employed are higher than farm worker's wages; and why all the duties are not performed by R.A.F. ratings.
§ Mr. A. HendersonAbout 13,900 civilian industrial workers are employed by my Department on the maintenance of buildings, lands and services on R.A.F. stations in the United Kingdom. Of these 3,500 are classed as skilled workers, 9,800 as semi-skilled, and 600 as unskilled. The unskilled workers are at present paid a basic rate varying from 83s. to 92s. for a 44-hour week, as compared with a minimum of 90s. for a 48-hour week for the agricultural labourer. To replace these civilians by airmen would mean taking more men into the R.A.F. and there would, therefore, be no saving in manpower.
§ Mr. OsborneDoes not the Minister think it would be better to employ these men, who were previously engaged on the land, in growing food instead of taking an early cup of tea to the sergeants' mess, as is happening in Lincolnshire today?
§ Mr. HendersonThat is a matter of opinion. I can only accept responsibility for the work of my Department.
§ Mr. S. O. DaviesCould my right hon. and learned Friend make it his business to have an inquiry conducted into this in order to satisfy himself and this House whether thousands of these men mentioned are not engaged in most unprofitable, menial and unnecessary work?
§ Mr. HendersonAs the hon. Gentleman may know, we have already established a Manpower Committee in my Depart- 1803 ment, with outside members, and the question of manpower is being investigated at this moment.