§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Messrs. Allen and Sons, engineers, Bedford, are reported to be working in some of their departments day shifts from 8 a.m. till 7.30 p.m. and night shifts from 7.30 p.m. till 8 a.m., and also working overtime till 9.30 p.m. while many of their late employés are unemployed; whether this firm is on the list of Government contractors and have Government work in hand; and whether he will appeal to this and similar firms throughout the country to limit overtime for absolutely necessary occasions and reduce hours and thus absorb in useful work some of the unemployed among whom in Bedford there are more than 200 engineers?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI have no information as to the hours worked by Messrs. Allen and Sons, nor do I know whether they are at the moment engaged upon Government work. As regards the last part of the question, I feel sure that employers throughout the country appreciate the desirability of arranging their systems of working so as to absorb as many unemployed men as is practicable.