§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour the categories of workers who are 307W still bound to their present employment by regulation or order and the approximate number so bound, in each case.
§ Mr. IsaacsApproximately 238,000 workers are still tied to their employment by the Essential Work Orders. The various categories and estimated number of workers affected in each case, and the date (where this has been decided) on or about which they will be withdrawn from the Orders are as follow:
Industry. No. of workers covered. Date of withdrawal from the Order. Agricultural Executive Committees 21,000 Date not yet fixed Catchment and internal drainage 7,000 Dock Labour 47,000 Building and Civil Engineering 88,000 31st March 1947 Limestone Quarrying 12,000 Brickmaking (including getting the clay) 40,000 30th April, 1947 Cement 9,000 Gypsum and Plasterboard 3,000 Sanitary drainpipe 7,000 Sanitary fireclay 4,000 In addition, a number of workers who have been directed under Defence (General) Regulations 58A (1) into unscheduled employment—mainly coalmining—are held in their employment for the period specified in the direction, usually six months. The number affected is not large, probably not more than 1,000, but I am not in a position to give actual figures.