HC Deb 11 December 1945 vol 417 cc359-60W
Brigadier Low

asked the Minister of Labour why an official of his Department, at Blackpool, refused an application from the Fylde Water Board for 12 labourers, in view of the fact that it was made clear that these 12 labourers were essential to the construction of the water supply system in connection with a housing scheme.

Mr. Isaacs

When the vacancies for 12 labourers were notified to my Blackpool office by the Fylde Water Board, no indication was given that the men were required in connection with a housing scheme. There were, at the time, outstanding demands for labourers required directly for building work which carried higher priority. The application for the labourers was never, however, refused, and, indeed, all employment exchanges in the North Western Region were asked to help to find the 12 men. The vacancies have now been noted as building vacancies and will receive the higher priority.