§ 40. Mr. Cyril Benceasked the Minister of Labour what action he intends taking to check the stockpiling of labour by firms, not necessarily on the most essential work, who fear that there may be a scarcity of labour in the near future.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI hope to make a statement on this matter as soon as I can.
§ Mr. BenceIn making that statement, can the Minister assure us that he will consult the trade unions movement on this question before any action is taken?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI have already raised this matter and intimated to the National Joint Advisory Council on which, of course, the trade unions are represented that I require their help.
§ Mr. MikardoIf, as has been reported in the Press, the Minister is considering again using labour supply inspectors, as was the case during the war, will he see that when they go about their work they will apply more accurate and more scientific principles than they did in those days?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI should prefer not to say what the suggestions will be until I have had the consultations with the National Joint Advisory Council.
§ Captain Charles WaterhouseDoes this mean that there is a good deal of camouflaged unemployment?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe point which I understood to be raised was that there might be cases in which labour was being retained in employment where it ought not to be. I do not want to say how much of that there is until I have had the opportunity of making these investigations.
§ Major Guy LloydIs not this the kind of thing which has been going on to a considerable extent in the Royal Dockyards during the last five years?