§ Mr. Simmondsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Trans port whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties which arose in certain areas during the recent heavy snowfalls, when many hours' work were lost by war workers, owing to transport and traffic difficulties, in consequence of the insufficient labour supply for snow clearance work; and whether he will seek the collaboration of the military and Civil Defence services so that an adequate labour reserve shall be available for snow clearance work?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe staffs of highway authorities are much depleted, and there has been difficulty in securing additional labour for snow clearance. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has instructed his Regional representatives to render every assistance in their power. Under arrangements already in force, much valuable assistance was rendered by the military authorities and the Royal Air Force with both personnel and plant for clearing the roads.