§ Lieut.-Colonel Bolesasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the reduction called for in the number of road-men employed in Somerset is equivalent to 48.9 per cent. of those employed in such work in August, 1939, and that the labour force of 1,020, which is regarded as an irreducible minimum for the needs of the county, is 109 in excess of that laid down by the Government; and what action he has taken or proposes to take to meet the requirements of the County of Somerset in this connection.
§ Mr. BarnesThe reduction which I have requested the Somerset County Council to make in their highway labour force is equivalent to 51.2 per cent. of the number employed in August, 1939, but only 25 per cent. of the number employed in September, 1947. The reduced number should be sufficient to prevent any undue deterioration in the state of the roads, and I hope that the Council will comply with my request so as to make more labour available, in the national interest, for the export and import-saving industries.