HC Deb 06 May 1952 vol 500 cc163-5
10. Mr. Stephen Swingler

asked the Minister of Labour from which consumer goods industries he proposes to draw the

additional workers required for the rearmament programme, as outlined in the Economic Survey for 1952.

Sir W. Monckton

As the hon. Member knows, I exercise no powers to withdraw workers from one industry and place them in another. The extent to which labour will transfer from individual consumer goods industries to re-armament work depends upon the areas in which the demand for additional labour falls, the type of other industry in that area and its level of employment.

Mr. Swingler

As the Economic Survey says that where additional workers are required they will have to come mainly from other industries, particularly consumer industries, and as the last week, in reply to a Question on the cotton industry. the Minister said: I am not saying that there will be an attempt to reduce the number of workers in the industry."—[OFFICIAL REPORT. 29th April, 1952; Vol. 499, c. 1212.] is the right hon. and learned Gentleman simply relying on indiscriminate unemployment in order to find additional workers?

Sir W. Monckton

What I am suggesting is that if it turns out that in the consumer industries there are people not in work, it will be to that source that one will look for some addition to those required for the switch in industry.

Mr. Swingler

Does that mean that the Minister has not the faintest notion where he can get these workers and that the rearmament programme depends on a number of haphazard accidents?

Sir W. Monckton

No, Sir.