§ 50. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Minister of Labour how many persons have been directed to work under the Control of Engagement Order, 1947; and how many places have been filled by local employment offices since the order came into effect.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)Between 6th October, 1947, when the Control of Engagement Order came into effect and the end of September, 1948, 4,519,000 vacancies were filled by the Employment Exchanges. Of this total 551,000 were first preference vacancies. During this period 19 men and 10 women were directed to employment. These figures exclude directions issued to workers normally employed in agriculture and coalmining requiring them to remain within their industry.
§ Mr. ShephardDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that direction of labour in peace-time is thoroughly unBritish; further, does he consider that the direction of 29 persons is sufficient justification for the retention of this Order?
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is rather difficult to understand whether hon. Gentlemen opposite want the Order or do not want the Order. The fact is that we found 551,000 British workmen who were quite willing to take the job they were urged to take in the national interest.