§ 1. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Labour the total number of European voluntary workers brought to this country to the last convenient date; the total number who have been placed in employment; and the total permitted to change from the industry into which they originally were placed.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)Up to 5th June, 60,856 European volunteer workers had been brought to this country, of which number some 57,000 had been placed in employment. Statistics are not available of the number given permission to leave their first employment, but it is very small.
§ Mr. BeswickI wonder whether, in view of the fact that these people were brought over in the first place to man essential industries, it would be possible to keep a sort of check upon their movement—if there is any movement—away from the particular industries?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThey cannot take alternative employment without the permission of my Department. I assure my hon. Friend that we are keeping a close eye on the matter.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesCan my right hon. Friend tell the House how many of these people have been returned to Europe as being unsuitable for employment?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWithout notice, I could not give the exact figure, but it would be very small.
§ 2. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour how many European voluntary workers and how many Poles have taken up employment in the coalmining, textile and agricultural industries, respectively, in the first quarter of 1948.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe numbers of European Volunteer Workers placed in coalmining are 5,979, textiles 1,956 and agriculture 6,329 during the first quarter of this year. The corresponding figures for Poles are 581, 993 and 259.
§ 3. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour how many training centres have been established in this country for European voluntary workers; and what have been the total overhead costs to date.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo training centres for European Volunteer Workers have been established; the second part of the Question does not therefore arise. There are six holding camps, where European volunteer workers recruited for employment in coalmining who have insufficent knowledge of English are given a six weeks' course in English.
§ Mr. SwinglerCan the Minister say whether it is proposed to establish training centres with facilities for the training of these workers?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsAs these men are recruited for specific industries, the training they receive is in the industries concerned.
§ Mr. BeswickHow are these people recruited for specific industries, since I understand that on the Continent they are not allocated to particular industries?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThey are collected on the Continent for their physical fitness. They are asked to volunteer for one of three or four industries and they are sorted out in this country.
§ Mr. SwinglerSurely the Minister will agree that many of these workers need training. Is it not proposed to develop some scheme in the future for training them?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir. In the mining industry, for instance, the training centres are run by the industry itself. There has been no need to establish special training centres.