Viscountess Astorasked the Minister of Labour how it is that brewery companies are allowed to have so much labour that they are able to repair licensed premises when there is not sufficient labour for the repair of damaged dwelling-houses or the construction of new houses.
§ Mr. BevinThe first-aid repair of damaged houses is given first priority for the supply of labour and there are special arrangements under which extended repairs are put in hand by Local Authorities. Industrial undertakings, or their maintenance contractors, are allowed to retain only sufficient building labour for the essential maintenance of their establishments, and the repair of damaged premises is regarded as work which can appropriately be undertaken by such maintenance staff.