§ 50. Mr. Shephardasked the Minister of Labour how many European volunteer workers are now employed in British industry; and will he give particulars of the industries and the number employed in each case.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe answer to the first part of the Question is 37,241. The answer to the second part involves a table of figures, which I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ShephardCould the Minister say at what rate these people are corning to this country?
§ Mr. IsaacsThey are being placed, on the average of the last few weeks, at the rate roughly of 1,000 to 1,500 a week.
§ Following is the table:
| EUROPEAN VOLUNTEER WORKERS IN INDUSTRIES. | ||
| Industry. | Men. | Women. |
| Agriculture | 16,206 | 61 |
| Brick-making | 1,235 | — |
| Coalmining | 3,492 | — |
| Cotton | 450 | 3,378 |
| Domestic (hospitals, N.S.H.C. and other hostels, etc.) | 3,211 | 2,895 |
| Hosiery | 22 | 237 |
| Iron and Steel | 709 | — |
| Laundries | — | 385 |
| Nursing | 53 | 299 |
| Quarrying | 187 | — |
| Rayon and Silk | 463 | 464 |
| Woollen | 677 | 2,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 675 | 142 |
| TOTAL | 27,380 | 9,861 |
§ 53. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Minister of Labour how many European volunteer workers are living at the Glen Mill, Oldham; and what is the size of the administrative staff.
§ Mr. IsaacsThis hostel is in the early stages of its development to house 150 workers. At the moment there are 41 European volunteer workers there, of whom 13 are on the staff. The total staff at present is 21.
§ Mr. SutcliffeIs not the staff wholly out of proportion to the number of people there, in view of the fact that a neighbouring industrial firm have plans to house 35 in their own hostel with a permanent staff of two, and two daily helps?
§ Mr. IsaacsI cannot express an opinion on those facts to which the hon. Gentleman has not drawn my attention before, but staff is being put into this place with a view to full occupation.