HC Deb 09 March 1948 vol 448 cc985-6
4. Mr. Scott-Elliot

asked the Minister of Labour the number of European Volunteer Workers placed in the cotton industry during the last three months of 1947; and whether this rate of placing is likely to be maintained.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. George Isaacs)

During the last three months of 1947, 2,400 European Volunteer Workers were placed in the cotton industry. I am hopeful that it will be possible to make arrangements which will ensure that this rate of placing will be maintained in the future.

Mr. Scott-Elliot

Does not my right hon. Friend feel that the supply of these workers in the American and British zones is tending to dry up, and is he making plans to recruit workers from some other sources?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir. My colleague the Parliamentary Secretary left today for the Continent for the purpose of finding other workers.

5. Mr. Scott-Elliot

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make it plain to Lancashire cotton workers that the recruitment of European Volunteer Workers will not prejudice their employment in the possible event of a falling off of demand at some future date.

Mr. Isaacs

I am satisfied that the position is well known to cotton workers, as the arrangements covering this point are embodied in an agreement made between both sides of the cotton industry concerning the employment of European Volunteer Workers.

Mr. Scott-Elliot

Despite the agreement which has been made, could not greater publicity have been given to this, because in Lancashire there is a good deal of misconception about the coming in of the European Volunteer Workers and their taking all these jobs. Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he will give the fullest publicity to this arrangement?

Mr. Isaacs

That has also been done to the greatest extent possible at the moment. The Parliamentary Secretary was in Lancashire last weekend for this purpose. I shall be going there next weekend. I think the matter is fairly well known to the organised workers.

6. Squadron-Leader Fleming

asked the Minister of Labour how many women European Volunteer Workers have been accepted for training in spinning and weaving cotton cloth; and how many have started work as ex-trainees in the mills.

Mr. Isaacs

Up to 22nd February, 3,484 women European Volunteer Workers had been placed in the cotton textile industry, practically all in the spinning and doubling section. Employers are for the most part training their own workers, and no information is available as to the number who have completed the training stage.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Before the visas are granted for these people to come into Lancashire, are they thoroughly screened, so that no saboteurs or Communist agitators creep into our factories?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not see how that arises out of this Question. Anyhow, I have given information on that point on numerous occasions in the House.