33. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the shortage of brickmakers; and what action he is taking to increase the number of men available for this essential work.
§ Mr. IsaacsAlthough the number of workers engaged in brickmaking has risen steadily during the last two years, I am aware that vacancies still exist in some areas. My officers are doing their best to help the firms concerned to find the additional labour they require, and in addition to normal local recruitment they have recently assisted in obtaining a number of men from development areas and from the Irish Republic.
Mr. Baker WhiteSeeing the position is as the Minister has explained, why is it that his Department are issuing in the Press advertisements for brickmakers to go to Australia, offering them assisted passages, very high wages, and all sorts of other kinds of inducements? Surely if there is a shortage of them we want to keep them in this country?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat may be, but, on the other hand, I think it was with the acquiescence of Parliament as a whole that we decided to help our Dominions to obtain key workers; and the few who are likely to go, compared with the number here, will not make a material difference to us.
§ Squadron Leader BurdenIs it not a fact that the shortage of bricks is due in part to the great number dropped recently by the Secretary of State for War?