§ Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the apparent shortage of highly skilled engineering labour in some districts is due to the unwillingness of men to leave their own district to take up in another part of the country employment of uncertain duration at a low rate of remuneration; and whether he will take steps to make 1114W conditions more attractive for skilled engineers offered employment in a district other than their own?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADNo. Sir. The shortage in certain highly skilled occupations in the engineering trades is not merely local, and could not be remedied by an increase of wages—a matter which, moreover, as the hon. Member knows, is outside my right hon. Friend's control.