HC Deb 04 February 1947 vol 432 cc306-7W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour the categories of workers who are still bound to their present employment by regulation or order and the approximate number so bound, in each case.

Mr. Isaacs

Approximately 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number of workers affected in each case, and the date (where this has been decided) on or about which they will be withdrawn from the Orders are as follow: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.