§ Sir H. ELVERSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that numbers of highly-skilled men are retained in certain engineering establishments, although there is not enough work to keep them employed to the best advantage, whilst workmen cannot be obtained for some of our national 2083W tool and shell factories; whether he possesses any powers to secure a redistribution of this labour so that it may be better employed; and, if so, whether this matter will have his consideration?
Mr. HARCOURTI do not know to what cases my hon. Friend refers, but if he will give me particulars inquiries shall be made. This is not a matter in which the Board of Trade possess any compulsory powers, but, as my hon. Friend is probably aware, the Ministry of Munitions, in co-operation with the Employment Department of the Board of Trade, have for a considerable period been dealing with the distribution of skilled engineering labour by means of the scheme for voluntary enrolment as war munitions volunteers.