§ Major CHAPPLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that skilled artisans are being employed on house repairs and numerous other works throughout the country not immediately urgent; and whether he will take steps to make it an offence for any person or 1743W firm to employ skilled workmen on any work not connected directly or indirectly with the war needs of the country, in order to force such, skilled artisans to apply for employment at shipyards and other national works?
§ Mr. BECKMy hon. Friend has asked me to reply. It is not considered practicable to adopt the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. He will be aware that the increasing restrictions of the use of material for private work, coupled with the provisions for licensing private work on any considerable scale, reduce all work of an unnecessary character to a minimum.