§ Sir R. Youngasked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the discouragement to qualified persons in the building trade, many of whom have been 2284W engaged on war work, by the continued operation of Defence Regulation 56AB; and whether it will be rescinded at an early date.
§ Mr. TomlinsonDefence Regulation 56AB controls the entry into the building and civil engineering industries and also ensures that the terms and conditions of employment prescribed by joint agreement in the industries are strictly observed. For the latter reason in particular I am unable to agree to the regulation being rescinded, but as regards control over entry I would remind the hon. Member that when the regulation was made an assurance was given that such control would not be continued after the labour force reaches approximately 75 per cent. of the pre-war figure.