§ 67. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Labour why 31st May, 1949, was selected as the date upon which the emergency that was the occasion of the passing of the Control of Employment Act, 1939, came to an end, having regard to the continuance in force of the Control of Engagement Order beyond that date.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe Control of Employment Act, 1939, was an early war-time Act. It was terminated in May, 1949, as part of the programme for bringing to an end war legislation no longer needed. It has no connection with 664 the Control of Engagement Order at present in force, which was made by virtue of the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945, as extended by the Supplies and Services (Extended Purposes) Act, 1947, to deal with the economic difficulties arising after the war.
§ Sir J. MellorI am, of course, aware that the order was not laid under this Act, but will the right hon. Gentleman say how the emergency came to an end for the purposes of the Act and not for the purposes of the order?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThat order contained certain provisions which are not contained in the present Control of Engagement Order. It was necessary to let that go because the penal powers could not be derived under the old wartime legislation.